Walk-In Shower Cost Calculator

Build up the cost of a walk-in shower from its real parts — the base or pan, the wall tile area, the glass panel and the labor — each priced with the numbers on your own quote.

Planning estimate: this is a planning estimate from the numbers you enter and standard reference quantities — not a bid or a contract. Get itemized written quotes from licensed contractors and confirm measurements before you commit.

Calculator

$
Prefab pan or curbed mud base.
linear ft
Total width of the tiled walls.
ft
How high the tile runs.
$/sq ft
$
$
Setting labor, if not DIY.
Estimated total$2,524.00
Wall tile area102 sq ft (17 LF × 6 ft)
Tile$1,224.00 (× $12.00/sq ft)
Base + glass + labor$1,300.00

A walk-in shower with 102 sq ft of wall tile works out to about $2,524.00 on the prices you entered (base $400.00, glass $900.00, labor $0.00).

A walk-in shower is priced from four parts you can measure or quote directly: the base (a prefab pan or a curbed mortar bed), the wall tile, the glass enclosure and the labor to install it. The one part that needs a little geometry is the tile — you get its area from the run of the walls multiplied by how high the tile goes.

Enter the base price, the wall run, the tile height, your tile price per square foot, the glass price and any labor. The tool computes the wall tile area for you and adds the parts into a single planning total, all on the prices you supply.

Formula

Wall tile area first, then a plain sum:

tile_area = wall_perimeter × wall_height\ntotal     = base_price + (tile_area × tile_price) + glass_price + labor

The wall run is the combined width of every tiled wall in linear feet; height is how far up the tile goes (a full-height surround is often 6–8 ft).

Worked example

Three walls measuring 7 + 3 + 7 give a 17 linear-foot run. At a 6 ft tile height that is 17 × 6 = 102 sq ft of wall tile. At $12/sq ft the tile is 102 × 12 = $1,224.

Add a $400 base and a $900 glass panel (DIY tiling, so labor $0) and the total is 400 + 1,224 + 900 = $2,524. Enter a setting-labor figure from your quote and it drops straight into the total.

Bases, tile and glass

Base choices. A prefab acrylic or fiberglass pan is the least expensive and the fastest to set. A curbed or curbless tiled base (mortar bed plus waterproofing membrane) costs more in both material and labor but lets you tile the floor to match. Enter whichever base price matches the build you are quoting.

Measuring the tile. Add up the width of each wall you will tile to get the perimeter, then decide the height. A standard surround runs to about 6 ft; a full-height, ceiling-tiled shower can be 8 ft or more and uses proportionally more tile. Buy a little extra for cuts and breakage — the bathroom tile & cost tool adds a waste factor and can size it in boxes.

Glass. A fixed panel is cheaper than a framed door, which is cheaper than a large frameless enclosure — the range is wide, so use the actual quote for the glass you want. This figure often surprises people; it can rival the tile.

This is a planning estimate from your numbers, not a bid. Converting from an existing tub instead of building fresh? The tub-to-shower conversion worksheet adds the removal and plumbing lines that a conversion needs.

Reference table

Wall tile area for common shower sizes (perimeter × height):

Wall run × heightTile area
14 LF × 6 ft84 sq ft
16 LF × 6 ft96 sq ft
17 LF × 6 ft102 sq ft
18 LF × 7 ft126 sq ft
20 LF × 8 ft160 sq ft

Order extra for cuts, niches and breakage — see waste factors.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a walk-in shower cost?
It comes down to the base, the tile area, the glass and the labor. The worked example above — a modest tiled surround with a prefab base and a glass panel — lands near $2,524 in materials, but a larger enclosure or a big frameless glass wall pushes it well up. Use your own prices.
How do I measure the wall tile area?
Add up the width of every wall you will tile to get the perimeter in linear feet, then multiply by how high the tile goes. Three walls of 7, 3 and 7 feet at a 6-foot height give 17 × 6 = 102 sq ft.
Is the glass really that expensive?
It can be. A simple fixed panel is modest, but a framed door costs more and a large frameless enclosure more still. Because the range is so wide, this tool asks you to enter the quoted glass price rather than guessing one.
Does a walk-in shower need a permit?
If you move the drain or valve, that is plumbing work that usually needs a permit and a licensed pro. Re-tiling in place generally does not, but always confirm with your local building department.
Should I include labor?
If you are hiring the tiling and glass set out, enter that labor figure from your quote. If you are doing the work yourself, leave labor at $0 and the total reflects materials only.

Related calculators

Tub-to-Shower ConversionCost out a tub-to-shower conversion line by line — removal, base, wall tile, plumbing, glass and labor — on your own prices, with the permit note.Bathroom Tile Area & CostWork out bathroom tile area and cost from floor and wall measurements, add a waste factor, and price it at the dollars per square foot you enter.Tile Installation CostEstimate tile installation cost and how much to order: enter the area, choose a waste factor, and add your tile price and labor per square foot.Bathroom Remodel CostEstimate your bathroom remodel cost from your own line items and labor rate, add a contingency buffer, and sanity-check contractor quotes before you commit.