Paint & interior · updated 2026
Shower Tile Calculator
Shower tile is wall-area math — two long walls plus two short walls, times height — then boxes and thinset. This shower tile calculator takes your shower's footprint, wall height, and tile size and returns wall square footage, tile box counts, and thinset bags, with 2026 costs. It doesn't subtract the door or curb opening; the 10% waste allowance absorbs that, and running short mid-wall is worse than a few spare tiles.
Tile to at least 6 ft; full ceiling height for steam showers
Show the math
Wall area = 2 × (5 + 3) × 7 = 112.0 sq ft
Tiles = 112.0 × 144 ÷ 144 sq in/tile = 112.0 (rounded up)
Boxes = 112.0 × 1.1 ÷ 10 sq ft/box = 13 (rounded up; 10% waste)
Thinset = 112.0 ÷ 80 sq ft/bag = 2 (rounded up; wall coverage)
Cost = 112.0 × 1.1 × $2–$10/sq ft (tile) + 2 × $15–$25/bag
What the numbers mean
The calculator converts your measurements into a practical purchase quantity using a documented coverage or spacing assumption.
Any whole-unit quantity is rounded up so the result does not leave you short during the project.
Use the cost range as a planning baseline and confirm the final quantity, availability, and delivery charge with your local supplier.
2026 material prices
| Material | 2026 average price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic/porcelain wall tile | $2.00 – $10.00 / sq ft | Materials only |
| Thinset mortar, 50-lb bag | $15.00 – $25.00 / 50-lb bag | Polymer-modified for wet areas |
| Cement backer board, 3×5 sheet | $12.00 – $18.00 / 3×5 sheet | Behind all shower tile |
Wave 1 Batch 3 content price guide, Sep 2026. 2026 U.S. national averages. Prices vary by region and retailer — confirm locally before buying.
Pro tips
- Waterproof before tiling — backer board alone isn't waterproof; paint on a membrane or use a sheet system.
- Slope the shower floor ¼ in per foot to the drain before a single wall tile goes up.
- Start the second row on a level ledger board — the bottom row gets cut in after the floor is set.
- Use polymer-modified thinset in wet areas; dry-set mortar is for dry floors only.
- Keep a spare box — matching dye lots years later is impossible.
- A 5×3 shower with 7-ft walls needs 13 boxes of 12×12 tile and 2 bags of thinset.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How much tile for a 5×3 shower with 7-ft walls?
2 × 8 × 7 = 112 sq ft of wall → 13 boxes (12×12 at 10 sq ft/box) plus 2 bags of thinset.
How many 6×6 tiles is that?
112 × 144 ÷ 36 = 448, plus 10% waste = 493 tiles.
Do I subtract the shower door opening?
No — the 10% waste allowance absorbs it, and running short mid-wall is worse than spare tiles.
What thinset for shower walls?
Polymer-modified — it bonds to backer board and handles constant moisture.
What does the tile cost?
The 10% waste allowance means buying 13 boxes (130 sq ft): $260–$1,300 in tile, plus 2 thinset bags at $15–$25 each ($30–$50).
What goes behind shower tile?
Cement backer board plus a waterproofing membrane — tile and grout alone are not waterproof.
Related calculators
Planning estimates only. Prices are 2026 U.S. national averages and vary by region — confirm with your local supplier before buying.