Having enough space in your shower is important since it determines your comfort level. There are different types of showers and sizes with each needing a different amount of space to be comfortable. Knowing the stand-up shower dimensions, for example, allows you to choose the type and size of shower you need.
The standard shower size is 36 x 36 inches or 9 square feet in compliance with the requirements of the ADA. The International Residential Code allows shower sizes to a minimum of 30 x 30 inches. The shower size is determined by the space available, size and number of users, and the fixtures used.
Standard stand up shower size
The standard stand up shower size is 36 x 36 inches or 9 square feet. This is the smallest shower size recommended by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and is a comfortable shower size for people with or without disabilities. However, the International Residential Code has set the minimum shower size to 30 x 30 inches. These are small shower dimensions that may not work for everyone.
While 36 x 36 inches is the typical shower size, showers can be as big as one wants with some going to 60 inches in length or width. It all depends on the space available and the size and number of users.
Another aspect to consider is whether you’re building a custom shower or using a pre-fabricated shower unit. While the custom one gives you the freedom to choose the shower stall dimensions (from 30 x 30 inches), the smallest shower size for pre-fabricated shower units is 32 x 32 inches. There are those as big as 36 x 60 inches or more depending on the size of the shower pan.
To obtain shower dimensions in feet, multiply the dimensions in inches by 0.083 or divide it by 12. To obtain shower dimensions in inches when written in feet, multiply the figure by 12 since there are 12 inches in one foot. As such, the average size of a shower stall at 36 x 36 inches is (36 x 0.833 =) 3 x 3 feet (9 square feet).
Standard shower sizes
There are some standard shower sizes which should be considered when building a shower. The common shower sizes include the following:
| Shower type | Size in inches (L x W x H) |
| Square-shaped shower | 32 x 32 34 x 34 36 x 36 |
| Shower and tub combo | 60 x 30 x 72 32 x 60 60 x 36 x 72 32 x 48 |
| Stand-alone shower stall | 48 x 36 |
| Master shower size | 32 x 32 48 x 36 60 x 36 |
| Walk-in shower dimensions (with door or doorless) | 32 x 32 34 x 34 42 x 36 48 x 36 48 x 48 60 x 36 60 x 48 x 96 66 x 66 x 90 54 x 35 x 89 71 x 47 x 88 42 x 42 x 82 |
| Wet room | 60 x 72 |
| Steam shower | 48 x 60 x 96 |
Square-shaped shower
Square-shaped showers have sizes from 32 x 32 inches, 34 x 34 inches to 36 x 36 inches. They are among the smallest showers and can therefore be installed in bathrooms with little space. They also fit well into corners, saving on space in the process.
Stand-alone shower stall
Stand-alone shower stalls don’t have bathtubs in them and measure 48 x 36 inches in size. They can be made as big as needed given that they won’t be sharing the bathroom with a bathtub or other major fixture.
Walk-in shower dimensions
A walk-in shower can have many different sizes including 32 x 32, 34 x 34, 42 x 36, 48 x 36, 48 x 48, 60 x 36, 60 x 48 x 96, 66 x 66 x 90, 54 x 35 x 89, 71 x 47 x 88, and 42 x 42 x 82 inches. These sizes are for both doorless walk-in showers and those with doors. It all depends on the amount of space available in the bathroom.
Shower and tub combo
A shower and tub combo measures either 60 x 30 x 72 inches or 60 x 32 x 72 inches in size. These sizes include the tub and the space around it. The shower enclosure in this setup usually has a height of 79, 81, or 87 inches.
Master shower size
The master shower has a size of 32 x 32, 48 x 36, or 60 x 36 inches. Again, the size of the master shower will depend on the amenities in it and the space allocated to it. If it has a bathtub, for example, it’ll take on the size of a shower tub and tub combo.
How wide should a shower be?
The standard shower width is 36 inches. However, this can be increased as per the needs of the shower users with bigger people needing wider showers than smaller ones. On the lower side, the smallest width a shower enclosure should be is 30 inches.
The common width for shower doors is as follows:
- Small stand-alone shower door: 42 – 48 inches
- Standard shower and tub combo door: 60 inches
- Large stand-alone shower door: 54 – 60 inches
The common shower door heights are 70, 74, and 79 inches. The shower door height you choose will depend on the height of the shower enclosure which in turn depends on the size of the shower.
How to measure the shower size
Grab a tape measure and follow these steps to measure the size of your shower:
- Measure the height of the shower from the floor to the top of the shower unit.
- Measure the sides at a specific height from the floor or along the sides on the floor as per the location of the bathroom.
You then install the shower as required. You can then use either a rainfall showerhead or a shower panel. With so many options on the market, you can even go for water-saving showerheads.
How to choose the right shower size
Some of the factors to consider when choosing the right size of the shower include the following:
1. Size and number of users
The size and number of users determine the size of the shower enclosure in that large and more users require larger shower enclosures than smaller or fewer users.
If there is a particularly large user in the family, go for a large shower size. Similarly, if two or more people use the shower at once, go for a larger than the average shower size.
2. The accommodations
The accommodations to be made include the height and number of the users and the size and type of the fixtures. If you’re going for a shower panel instead of an overhead shower head or adding a bathtub to the bathroom, consider that.
3. Location of accessories
The bathroom accessories such as the storage units and lighting also play a role in the size of the shower. If you will have recessed lighting and a few accessories, you can use the smallest size available for the shower.
4. Customizations
While showers come in specific sizes and shapes, you can always customize yours to fit the shape and size of your bathroom. This also plays a role in the size of the shower you will go for. For example, smaller bathrooms can use smaller square-shaped shower enclosures. When installing the shower, use the correct shower pan mortar [link] for the best results.
In general, the main determinants of the size of the shower you use are the space available and the fixtures you have in it. When installing a shower enclosure, you should preferably use the skills of an expert to avoid major issues in the future although you can easily fix a leaking shower pan.