Tile Shower Cost Calculator
A tile shower cost calculator multiplies wall area by material and labor rates: 35 sq ft at $6 + $12 per sq ft costs $630, and an 88 sq ft alcove costs $1,936.
Tile shower cost calculator formula
A tile shower cost calculator prices the job from the tiled area and two rates. The formula is total cost = tiled area in square feet × (material rate + labor rate).
Enter the combined wall width and the tile height in feet. The calculator multiplies them to find the area. Then it applies the material and labor rates per square foot and reports each part and the total. The defaults are 5 ft by 7 ft, $6 and $12.
Worked examples
Example 1 is a single wall, 5 ft wide and 7 ft high, at $6 material and $12 labor.
- Area: 5 × 7 = 35 sq ft
- Material: 35 × $6 = $210
- Labor: 35 × $12 = $420
- Total: $630
Example 2 is a three-wall alcove shower tiled to 8 ft. The walls are 5 ft, 3 ft and 3 ft wide, and the rates are $8 and $14.
- Combined width: 5 + 3 + 3 = 11 ft
- Area: 11 × 8 = 88 sq ft
- Material: 88 × $8 = $704
- Labor: 88 × $14 = $1,232
- Total: $1,936
For the alcove, enter 11 for the length and 8 for the height.
What the rates should cover
| Part of the job | Where to put it |
|---|---|
| Tile | Material rate |
| Thinset, grout and sealer | Material rate |
| Waterproofing membrane or board | Material rate, or separate |
| Demolition of old tile | Labor rate or separate |
| Setting the tile | Labor rate |
| Niche, bench and curb | Separate, or raise the area |
| Shower floor | Add its area |
| Glass door and fixtures | Separate |
Waterproofing is the most important part of a shower. Follow the membrane or board manufacturer’s instructions and your local code for the layers and the way the corners and the drain are sealed. A licensed tile contractor will know the details.
What changes the price
| Factor | Effect on cost |
|---|---|
| Tile size | Small mosaics take longer than large tile |
| Pattern | Diagonal and herringbone layouts use more tile and time |
| Tile type | Porcelain, ceramic and natural stone are priced differently |
| Walls out of plumb | More prep work |
| Tile to the ceiling | More area |
| Demolition | Tearing out old tile and board adds labor |
If you know the tile you want, get the price per square foot from the store and enter it as the material rate. Add the cost of setting materials as well.
How to measure
- Measure each wall’s width and the height you plan to tile. Most showers are tiled to 7 or 8 ft, or to the ceiling.
- Add the widths of the walls. Enter the sum as the length and the height as the width.
- Add the shower floor as another run. A 3 × 5 ft pan is 15 sq ft.
- Subtract a large window or an opening, but not a small valve plate.
- Add a niche’s back and sides to the area.
Use the tile calculator to find how many tiles to buy. Adding about 10 percent for cuts is common practice, but the right amount depends on the pattern.
Common mistakes
- Pricing only the walls and forgetting the floor.
- Entering the height of the whole room instead of the tiled height. If the tile stops at 7 ft, enter 7.
- Treating a low quote as complete. Ask what it covers, especially the waterproofing.
- Forgetting grout and setting materials in the rates.
- Spending on tile and not on the prep. A good tile on a poor base fails.
Related calculators
For the supplies, see the grout calculator and the thinset calculator. For a larger floor or room, the tile installation cost calculator uses the same method.
Frequently asked questions
What area do I enter for a shower tile cost estimate?
Enter the combined width of the tiled walls and the height you will tile. Three walls of 5, 3 and 3 ft add up to 11 ft, and tiled to 8 ft that is 88 sq ft. Enter 11 and 8. Add the floor and any ceiling separately, by raising the area or running the calculator a second time.
What's included in this shower tile cost estimate?
Only what you put in the two rates. The calculator multiplies area by the material rate and the labor rate, and sums them. The defaults are $6 and $12 per square foot. Waterproofing, a niche, a bench, a curb, glass and plumbing fixtures are not separate lines.
Why does shower tile cost more per square foot than floor tile?
Walls take more time. The tile has to be set on a vertical surface, over a waterproofing system, with careful layout, cuts around the valve and niche, and clean joints. Small tile and mosaics add hours. That is why the default labor rate is higher than the material rate.
Does this calculator account for niches or a bench?
No. Niches and benches add tile area, extra cuts and waterproofing steps. Add their surface area to the total, and raise the labor rate a little if the installer quotes extra for them. Ask for a line item so you can compare bids.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.