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Wet Area SpecialistShowers, Tub Surrounds & Steam Enclosures

Shower Tile Calculator

Accurately estimates combined shower wall area, window and niche cutout deductions, plus 2-coat waterproofing membrane coverage (verify brand spread rate on the data sheet). Add pan floor square footage to the total if using the same tile.

3-Wall Wet Area SizingIncludes 2-Coat WaterproofingSchluter Jolly Edge Trim

Common Standard Shower Sizes (Click to load into calculator)

Step 1: Enter Dimensions

Room & Tile Specifications

Change any number below to see live updates to the visual cut map and shopping list.

Swipe →
Units: Feet & Inches
ft
ft
Subtracted from gross wall area before waste buffer
sq ft
Swipe sizes →Units: in
in
in
12–15% Recommended
15%
5% (Simple square)10% (Straight grid)12–15% (Running bond)18–22% (Diag / Herringbone)
6. Box Packaging & Tile Price
14 sq ft (~42 tiles)
~42 tiles/box
sq ft
Printed on box label (standard 10–16 sq ft)
Optional
$/sq ft
Estimates DIY materials cost range
Interactive Layout CanvasScale: Auto-fit

Visual Tile Grid & Cut Map

Full (48)
Cuts (24)
Pan or 2 fingers
Tap "Pan" or use 2 fingers to drag canvas
Horizontal Nudge (X-Offset)0.0 in
Vertical Nudge (Y-Offset)0.0 in
Job-Ready Bill of MaterialsUpdated Instantly

Complete Store Shopping List

Take this to Home Depot, Lowe's, Floor & Decor, or your local tile distributor.

Net Area88.0 sq ft11' × 8' space
Purchase Area101.2 sq ftIncl. 15% waste buffer
Tiles Needed304 tiles4" × 12" format
Boxes to Buy
8 boxes
14 sq ft / box · ~42 tiles (+32 spare)
Adds cement backer board, waterproofing membrane & metal edge trim

1. Main Tile & Substrate

01
4" × 12" Porcelain Tiles (Brick (1/2 Offset))
Covers net room + recommended cut & breakage waste buffer
8 Boxes (~304 tiles needed)
~14 sq ft / box · ~42 tiles
02
Cement Backer Board (3' × 5' sheets)
HardieBacker / Durock 1/4" for floors or 1/2" for walls
6 Sheets (15 sq ft/sheet)
+ 1 box 1-1/4" Backer-On screws
03
Liquid Waterproofing Membrane (RedGard / Hydro Ban)
Required for showers, tubs, & wet areas (2 continuous coats)
2 Gallons (~100 sq ft, 2 coats)
+ 1 roll alkali-resistant fiberglass tape

2. Mortar, Grout & Spacers

04
Polymer-Modified Thin-Set Mortar (50 lb bags)
Recommended trowel: 1/4" × 3/8" square notch (~45 sq ft/bag)
3 Bags (50 lb)
150 lbs total
05
Sanded Grout (for joints ≥ 1/8")
Calculated for tile size & joint thickness
Formula: ((4 + 12) × 0.125" × 0.375" × 101.2 × 9.5) ÷ 48 = 15.0 lbs
1 Bag (25 lb) or 2× 10 lb bags
~15.0 lbs required
06
Plastic Cross Tile Spacers
Maintains uniform grout joint width on small & mosaic formats
2 Bags (500 spacers)
~250 cross spacers per pack
07
Schluter Metal Edge Trim (8-ft pieces)
For clean finished exposed edges and doorway thresholds
2 Strips (14 linear ft)
Sized to tile depth (3/8" or 1/2")

Essential Tools Checklist

Check if you have these at home
Estimated Project Budget
Materials: $746 – $1,007

Includes tiles + thinset mortar, grout, spacers, backer board, waterproofing & trim.

Rough national estimates — local store & contractor prices vary.

Optional Contractor Labor$704 – $1,584Local market installer rate benchmarks
Calculated on FreeTileCalculator.com — Free, accurate homeowner estimatorDate:
Waterproofing Best Practices

Avoid Costly Shower Leaks: 3 Golden Rules

1. Tile & Grout Are NOT Waterproof

A common misconception is that tile keeps water out. Water naturally penetrates grout pores. Your primary defense is the continuous waterproofing membrane behind the tile.

2. Soap Niche Slope

Always slope the bottom shelf of your recessed shampoo niche slightly downward (1/8″ to 1/4″ pitch) toward the shower floor so water drains out and never pools.

3. 100% Silicone in Inside Corners

Use color-matched silicone caulking at every change of plane (wall-to-wall corners and wall-to-pan joint). Grout in corners will inevitably crack from house settling.

Shower Tiling FAQs

How do I calculate square footage for 3 shower walls?
Measure the width of the back wall (e.g., 5 feet) and the two side walls (e.g., 3 feet each). Total wall width = 5 + 3 + 3 = 11 feet. Multiply by the shower wall height (typically 7 or 8 feet). For example, 11 ft × 8 ft = 88 sq ft of wall area. Always add 15% for cuts around corners, shower valves, and the shower head.
Why do shower floors require small mosaic tiles?
Shower pans slope 1/4 inch per linear foot from all directions toward the center drain. Large tiles cannot bend to conform to this 4-way compound slope. Mosaic tiles (such as 2"×2" squares, 2" hexagons, or penny rounds) follow the slope easily and their numerous grout lines provide essential slip resistance under wet, soapy feet.
How much RedGard / liquid waterproofing membrane do I need?
Liquid waterproofing membranes require continuous heavy coats to form an impervious barrier. Depending on brand and application method, 1 gallon typically covers roughly 45 to 55 sq ft across 2 coats (~100 sq ft per 2 gallons) — always verify the exact spread rate on your manufacturer’s data sheet.
Do I need silicone caulk inside shower corners instead of grout?
Yes! Never use cement grout in inside corners where walls meet, or where the wall meets the shower pan. These joints experience differential movement and grout will crack. Use 100% color-matched silicone caulk (with mildew resistance) in all change-of-plane joints.