Tiling a shower can completely transform its look—but how do you know how many tiles to buy? Don’t worry—this guide makes it easy to figure out, even if you’ve never tiled before. We’ll walk you through a simple formula, step-by-step instructions, and tips for handling tricky spots like niches and corners. Let’s dive in!
Why You Should Calculate Shower Tiles First
Tiles are typically sold by the square foot, so knowing the exact area of your shower is essential. If you buy too few, you might run out before the job’s done. Buy too many, and you’ve spent extra money for no reason. Measuring it right from the start saves you both time and cash.
The Basic Formula
To find the square footage of your shower walls:
Square Feet = Length × Height (for each wall)
Then add up all the walls. Finally, adjust for waste. Here’s how it works.
Step-by-Step: Calculating Tiles for a Simple Shower
Let’s say your shower has three walls (the fourth is a glass door), and you’re tiling from floor to ceiling.
- Measure Each Wall: Use a tape measure.
- Wall 1 (back wall): 5 ft wide × 8 ft tall.
- Wall 2 (left wall): 3 ft wide × 8 ft tall.
- Wall 3 (right wall): 3 ft wide × 8 ft tall.
- Calculate Each Wall’s Area:
- Wall 1: 5 ft × 8 ft = 40 sq ft.
- Wall 2: 3 ft × 8 ft = 24 sq ft.
- Wall 3: 3 ft × 8 ft = 24 sq ft.
- Add Them Up:
- 40 sq ft + 24 sq ft + 24 sq ft = 88 sq ft.
Your shower walls total 88 square feet.
Adjusting for Openings and Niches
Showers often have areas you won’t tile, like a glass door, and extras like niches you will.
- Subtract Openings: If back wall has a glass section (say 3 ft × 2 ft at the top):
- Glass area: 3 ft × 2 ft = 6 sq ft.
- Back wall adjusted: 40 sq ft - 6 sq ft = 34 sq ft.
- New total: 34 + 24 + 24 = 82 sq ft.
- Add Niches: If there’s a niche on Wall 1 (1 ft × 1 ft, 0.5 ft deep):
- Niche back: 1 ft × 1 ft = 1 sq ft.
- Niche sides (two): 1 ft × 0.5 ft = 0.5 sq ft each = 1 sq ft total.
- Niche top/bottom (two): 1 ft × 0.5 ft = 0.5 sq ft each = 1 sq ft total.
- Total niche: 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 sq ft.
- New total: 82 sq ft + 3 sq ft = 85 sq ft.
Add Extra for Waste
Tiles break, cuts go wrong, and patterns need matching. Add 10-15% extra:
- 85 sq ft × 1.15 (15% extra) = 97.75 sq ft.
Round up to 98 sq ft. That’s how much tile you need to buy.
Pro Tips for Beginners
- Measure in Feet: If you get inches, convert them (12 inches = 1 ft, 6 inches = 0.5 ft).
- Tile Size Matters: If using 12x12 inch tiles (1 sq ft each), 98 sq ft = 98 tiles. For 6x6 inch tiles (4 per sq ft), you’d need 98 × 4 = 392 tiles.
- Double-Check: Measure twice to avoid mistakes.
- Shower Floor: If tiling the floor (e.g., 5 ft × 3 ft = 15 sq ft), add that to your total before waste.
Why This Matters
Getting the right tile amount saves you from last-minute store runs or overbuying. Plus, it’s a skill you can use for any tiling project—bathrooms, kitchens, you name it.
Wrap-Up
Measure each wall, multiply length by height, adjust for openings and niches, and add 15% for waste. That’s all it takes! Grab a tape measure and try it on your shower—you’ll be tiling like a pro in no time.