How Much Tile for a Shower?
A standard shower: 8 boxes of 12x24 wall tile. But the tile is only part of what a shower needs.
A standard shower with 100 square feet of wall needs 8 boxes of 12x24 tile, 2 bags of thinset and 1 bag of grout — plus separate floor tile. The number that matters more than any of these is the waterproofing behind the tile, which is not optional in a shower.
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.
Wall tile needed by shower size
| Area | Surface | Tile size | Tiles | Boxes | Tile cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small shower, 60 sq ft of wall | 60 sq ft | 12" × 24" | 35 | 5 boxes | $225 |
| Standard shower, 100 sq ft of wall | 100 sq ft | 12" × 24" | 58 | 8 boxes | $360 |
| Standard shower, straight lay, 10 % waste | 100 sq ft | 12" × 24" | 55 | 7 boxes | $315 |
| Large walk-in shower, 150 sq ft of wall | 150 sq ft | 12" × 24" | 87 | 11 boxes | $495 |
| Tub surround only, 50 sq ft | 50 sq ft | 12" × 24" | 29 | 4 boxes | $180 |
| Standard shower, 3x6 subway tile | 100 sq ft | 3" × 6" | 880 | 22 boxes | $990 |
Diagonal and pattern layouts add waste. Walls only — the shower floor is a separate calculation.
Measuring shower walls
Measure the tiled height and width of each wall and add them up. A few practical points:
- Tile higher than you think. Most tiling now runs to the ceiling rather than stopping at head height. It costs a little more tile and looks considerably better.
- Subtract the niche, not the fixtures. A recessed niche removes a small area but adds surfaces inside it. Shower valves and heads are cut around, not subtracted.
- Add a waste allowance of 15 %. Showers are cut around niches, valves, corners and a floor drain. It is the most cut-heavy tiling job in a house.
What goes behind the tile matters more
Tile and grout are not waterproof. Water passes through grout lines and through the tile itself if it is natural stone. In a shower, something behind the tile has to stop it.
That means one of two systems:
- Cement backer board plus a bonded waterproof membrane — a liquid-applied or sheet membrane over the board, with the seams and screw heads taped and sealed.
- A foam board system — boards that are themselves waterproof, with sealed joints and a matching pan or membrane at the floor.
The floor is the critical part. Shower floors need a sloped pan, a waterproof membrane and a drain with a proper bonding flange. This is not a place to improvise, and it is the reason shower failures are almost always in the pan rather than the walls.
Adhesive and grout in a wet area
Use modified thinset, never premixed mastic. Mastic is organic and re-emulsifies when water gets to it. It has no place in a shower.
For grout, epoxy or urethane grout is worth the extra cost in a shower. It is far more resistant to staining and mould than cementitious grout, and it does not need sealing.
If you use cementitious grout, seal it. Grout is porous, and an unsealed shower grout line in a humid room is where mould starts.
Frequently asked questions
How much tile do I need for a shower?
A standard shower with 100 sq ft of wall needs 58 tiles of 12x24 with 15 % waste, which is 8 boxes at 8 tiles per box, plus 2 bags of adhesive and 1 bag of grout.
Do I need a waterproof membrane behind shower tile?
Yes. Tile and grout are not waterproof. You need either cement backer board with a bonded membrane over it, or a foam board system, plus a proper sloped and waterproofed pan at the floor.
Can I use mastic in a shower?
No. Premixed mastic is organic and softens when water reaches it. Use modified thinset, which cures to a hard, water-resistant bond.
What grout is best for a shower?
Epoxy or urethane grout. Both resist staining and mould far better than cementitious grout and do not require sealing.