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How Many Tiles Do You Need for Your Shower?

Enter your shower wall dimensions and tile size. Get a boxes-first order summary with shower-specific waste built in.

Last updated: July 31, 2026

Enter Your Shower Walls

Quick preset
Walls

Most showers have 3 walls. Add a 4th wall if you are tiling the ceiling.

e.g. 60" = 5 ft
e.g. 60" = 5 ft
e.g. 60" = 5 ft
Jump to Order Summary

Tile Order Summary

775
tiles to order
17 boxes (48/box)
Total wall area88 sq ft
Base tiles needed704 tiles
Extra for waste+71 tiles
Tile size area0.125 sq ft
By wall
Back Wall40 sq ft · 320 tiles
Left Wall24 sq ft · 192 tiles
Right Wall24 sq ft · 192 tiles
Assumes no deductions for fixtures or niches. Order 10–15% extra for typical shower cuts. Check your tile box label for exact tiles-per-box count.

Worked Examples

Standard 36×60 shower, 8 ft walls

Tile: 3" × 6" subway

Walls: Back 60×96 + sides 36×96

Waste: 10%

~775 tiles → 17 boxes (48/box)

Small 32×32 corner shower

Tile: 4" × 4" mosaic

Walls: Two 32×84 walls + back 32×84

Waste: 15%

~580 tiles → 12 boxes (50/box)

Large 48×60 walk-in shower

Tile: 12" × 24" large format

Walls: Back 60×108 + sides 48×108

Waste: 10%

~65 tiles → 6 boxes (12/box)

Shower Tile Size Guide

Tile SizeBest ForSuggested Waste
3" × 6" subwayShower walls, classic look10%
4" × 4" mosaicShower floors, slip resistance15%
6" × 6" ceramicSmall shower walls10%
12" × 12" porcelainLarge shower walls10%
12" × 24" large formatModern walk-in showers12%

Shower Layout & Waste Guide

Standard 3-wall shower

Most enclosed showers have a back wall and two side walls. Measure width × height for each, then add them together. This is the default preset above.

3-wall + ceiling

Add the ceiling as a 4th wall when you want a fully tiled enclosure. Use the ceiling dimensions (usually width × depth of the shower pan).

Walk-in 2-wall shower

Open walk-in showers may only have a back wall and one side wall. Select the 2-wall preset and adjust dimensions to match your glass enclosure.

Why showers need more waste

Showers have more cuts than flat walls because of fixtures, niches, corners, and the slope to the drain. Mosaics and diagonal patterns add even more cuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Measure each shower wall's width and height in inches, multiply to get each wall's area, then add them together. Divide by your tile's area (width × height in sq in), add 10–15% for waste, and round up to full boxes.
Use 10% for straight layouts with large tiles, 12% for 12×24 patterns, and 15% for mosaics, herringbone, or showers with many fixture cuts. Showers have more cuts than flat walls because of niches, valves, and corners.
3×6 subway tile is the most popular for shower walls — it's versatile and hides minor wall imperfections. Larger 12×24 tiles create a modern look with fewer grout lines but need flatter walls. Small 4×4 mosaics work best for shower floors.
Usually yes. Shower floors need smaller, slip-resistant tiles like 2×2 mosaics because the extra grout lines add grip and follow the slope to the drain. Wall tiles can be smoother and larger.
Tile the ceiling for steam showers or if you want a fully waterproof enclosure. For standard showers, a painted moisture-resistant ceiling is fine. If tiling the ceiling, add it as an extra wall in this calculator.
It depends on tile size. 3×6 subway tiles usually have 36–48 per box, 4×4 mosaics 40–50, 12×12 tiles 10–15, and 12×24 tiles 6–8. Always check the box coverage label before ordering.

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