How Much Tile for a Shower Surround?
A tub surround is roughly 50 square feet of tile — three walls around a standard tub.
A standard tub surround needs about 50 square feet of tile — that is 5 boxes of 12×24, 1 bag of thinset and 1 bag of grout. A separate walk-in shower enclosure is a separate calculation, because it has four walls and a floor instead of three walls around a tub.
Estimates only. Textured walls, high ceilings, sprayers and major colour changes can all increase the amount you need. Always buy slightly more than the calculation suggests.
Tile needed by surround type
| Area | Surface | Tile size | Tiles | Boxes | Tile cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tub surround, 40 sq ft, 12x24 | 40 sq ft | 12" × 24" | 23 | 3 boxes | $135 |
| Standard tub surround, 50 sq ft, 12x24 | 50 sq ft | 12" × 24" | 29 | 4 boxes | $180 |
| Tub surround to the ceiling, 70 sq ft | 70 sq ft | 12" × 24" | 41 | 6 boxes | $270 |
| Walk-in shower, three walls, 90 sq ft | 90 sq ft | 12" × 24" | 52 | 7 boxes | $315 |
| Standard tub surround, 3x6 subway | 50 sq ft | 3" × 6" | 440 | 11 boxes | $495 |
| Tub surround, 4x4 tile | 50 sq ft | 4" × 4" | 518 | 26 boxes | $1,170 |
15 % waste unless stated, 8 tiles per box for 12x24. Subway tile is sold in boxes covering about 5 sq ft, hence the much higher box count.
Measuring a tub surround
Three walls, and they are different sizes:
- The back wall — the full width of the tub, and the full height from the tub deck to wherever you are tiling to.
- The two end walls — the depth of the tub, usually about 30 inches, at the same height.
Worked example: a 60-inch tub with a 30-inch depth, tiled 60 inches above the deck. Back wall is 5 × 5 = 25 sq ft. Two end walls are 2 × (2.5 × 5) = 25 sq ft. Total 50 square feet.
Decide the top height before you measure. Tiling to the ceiling adds about 40 % to the area compared with stopping at 60 inches.
A surround is not the same as a shower
They look similar and they are not. A tub surround sits above a tub, and the tub itself is the water container. A walk-in shower has its own floor, its own drain and its own waterproofing requirements.
- Tub surround: three walls, no floor, no drain. The tub's integrated flange handles the water at the bottom.
- Walk-in shower: three or four walls plus a sloped floor, a drain and a pan. Requires full waterproofing of the floor and a proper drain flange.
If you are converting a tub to a walk-in shower, the tile cost is only a small part of the project. The waterproofing and the pan are the expensive, non-negotiable parts.
Putting tile over an existing surround
It is possible to tile over an existing tiled or fibreglass surround, and it is almost always a mistake.
The old surface has to be sound, clean, and flat, and you have to add a waterproof membrane on top of it. Tiling directly over old tile with mastic is a common shortcut that fails within a couple of years — the weight of the new tile and the trapped moisture combine to debond the whole assembly.
If the existing surround is in good condition and you simply want a different look, it is usually faster and more reliable to remove it back to the studs, fit new backer board, waterproof it properly, and tile from a clean start.
Frequently asked questions
How much tile do I need for a tub surround?
About 50 sq ft for a standard 60-inch tub tiled 60 inches high. That is 5 boxes of 12x24 tile at 8 per box with 15 % waste, plus a bag each of adhesive and grout.
How high should a tub surround be tiled?
60 inches above the tub deck is the traditional height. Tiling to the ceiling adds around 40 % more area and is increasingly common.
Is a tub surround the same as a shower surround?
No. A tub surround is three walls above a tub, with the tub handling the water. A walk-in shower needs its own sloped, waterproofed floor and a drain.
Can I tile over an existing tub surround?
It is possible but rarely worth it. The old surface must be sound and flat, and needs a new waterproof membrane. Removing back to the studs and starting clean is usually more reliable.