Shower Sizes: Standard Stall Dimensions, Code Minimums and Heights
Shower dimensions for remodels and new bathrooms: the code minimums, the stall and pan sizes sold in the US and Europe, walk-in and accessible layouts, and the heights of the head, valve, door and bench.
The most common shower stall is 36 × 36 in (91 × 91 cm). US plumbing codes set the minimum at 900 sq in with no side under 30 in, so 30 × 30 in (76 × 76 cm) is the smallest legal stall under the IRC. Tub-replacement showers are 60 × 30 or 60 × 32 in (152 × 76-81 cm), and enclosures stand 72-80 in (183-203 cm) tall.
- Standard stall
- 36 × 36 in (91 cm)
- IRC minimum
- 900 sq in, 30 in side
- Door opening
- 22 in (56 cm) min
- Showerhead height
- about 80 in (203 cm)
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Standard shower stall sizes
Shower pans (bases) are sold in a set of standard sizes. Most prefabricated stalls and glass enclosures are made to match them, so the pan size is the shower size.
| Size (in) | Size (cm) | Floor area | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 × 30 | 76 × 76 | 900 sq in (0.58 m²) | Code minimum; cramped |
| 32 × 32 | 81 × 81 | 1,024 sq in (0.66 m²) | Small bathrooms, meets UPC minimum |
| 36 × 36 | 91 × 91 | 1,296 sq in (0.84 m²) | The standard stall |
| 48 × 32 | 122 × 81 | 1,536 sq in (0.99 m²) | Narrow rectangular rooms |
| 48 × 36 | 122 × 91 | 1,728 sq in (1.11 m²) | Room for a bench |
| 60 × 30 / 60 × 32 | 152 × 76 / 152 × 81 | 1,800-1,920 sq in (1.16-1.24 m²) | Replacing a 60 in tub |
| 60 × 36 | 152 × 91 | 2,160 sq in (1.39 m²) | Walk-in with glass panel |
| 60 × 42 / 60 × 48 | 152 × 107 / 152 × 122 | 2,520-2,880 sq in (1.63-1.86 m²) | Large walk-in, two showerheads |
| Neo-angle 36, 38 or 40 | 91, 97 or 102 per side | Corner with angled front | Corners of small bathrooms |
A 36 × 36 in stall has 44% more floor than the 30 × 30 in minimum, and that is the difference you feel when you bend down or turn around. If the room allows, 36 in is the narrowest dimension most people find comfortable.
Minimum shower size by code
Two model plumbing codes are used in the US, and they differ on the minimum. Check which one your jurisdiction has adopted.
| Requirement | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum floor area | 900 sq in (0.58 m²), no side under 30 in (76 cm) | IRC P2708.1 |
| Narrow-shower exception | 25 in (64 cm) minimum side if the area is at least 1,300 sq in (0.84 m²) | IRC P2708.1 |
| Minimum under the UPC | 1,024 sq in (0.66 m²) and able to contain a 30 in (76 cm) circle | UPC 408.6 |
| Door or entry opening | 22 in (56 cm) clear width | IRC P2708.1.1 |
| Curb (threshold) depth | 2-9 in (5-23 cm), top of curb to top of drain | IRC P2709.1 |
| Floor slope to drain | 1/4 to 1/2 in per foot (2-4%) | IRC P2709.1 |
| Clear floor in front | 24 in (61 cm) | IRC R307.1 |
| Ceiling height | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) over a 30 × 30 in area at the showerhead | IRC R305.1 |
Under the IRC, the minimum dimensions are measured between finished interior surfaces, not counting valves, showerheads, soap dishes or grab bars, and must hold up to 70 in (178 cm) above the drain. A fold-down seat is allowed if the shower still meets 900 sq in with the seat folded up. Local amendments and editions vary, so confirm with your building department before you frame.
Metric shower tray sizes
In the UK, Europe and Australia, trays come in 100 mm steps. Square and quadrant (curved-front) trays are the usual choice for small rooms; long rectangles replace baths.
| Shape | Size (mm) | Size (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Square | 800 × 800 | 31.5 × 31.5 |
| Square | 900 × 900 | 35.4 × 35.4 |
| Square | 1000 × 1000 | 39.4 × 39.4 |
| Rectangle | 1200 × 800 | 47.2 × 31.5 |
| Rectangle | 1200 × 900 | 47.2 × 35.4 |
| Rectangle | 1400 × 900 | 55.1 × 35.4 |
| Rectangle (bath replacement) | 1600 × 800 or 1700 × 800 | 63 × 31.5 or 66.9 × 31.5 |
| Quadrant | 800, 900 or 1000 per side | 31.5, 35.4 or 39.4 |
A 900 × 900 mm tray is the metric counterpart of the US 36 in stall, about half an inch (14 mm) smaller each way. Replacing a 1700 mm bath with a 1700 × 700 or 1700 × 800 mm tray is a common UK conversion.
Shower heights: head, valve, door and bench
| Item | Inches | Centimeters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Showerhead outlet | about 80 | about 203 | Raise to 84-90 in (213-229 cm) for tall users |
| Mixing valve (stall) | about 45-48 | about 114-122 | Lower in a tub-shower so it can be reached from outside the tub |
| Glass door / enclosure | 72-76, up to 80 | 183-193, up to 203 | Leave an air gap above for steam to escape |
| One-piece fiberglass stall | 72-84 | 183-213 | Check the room height and the doorway route |
| Shower bench / seat | 17-19 | 43-48 | ADA 610 sets 17-19 in for accessible seats |
| Niche (center) | about 48-60 | about 122-152 | Between waist and shoulder height |
A one-piece fiberglass or acrylic shower is a single molded box, typically 32-36 in deep. It will not fit through a standard 30-32 in bathroom door or around most stair turns, so it suits new construction. For remodels, choose a multi-piece kit that assembles inside the room.
Walk-in and accessible showers
A walk-in shower has a low or no curb and usually a fixed glass panel instead of a door. Without a door, the length has to contain the spray: 60 in (152 cm) is the practical minimum, with the showerhead at the far end from the opening.
- Common walk-in sizes: 36 × 60 in (91 × 152 cm), 42 × 60 in (107 × 152 cm) and 48 × 72 in (122 × 183 cm). The fixed panel is typically 30-36 in wide, leaving a 24-30 in opening.
- ADA transfer shower: exactly 36 × 36 in (91 × 91 cm) inside, with a 36 in entry and a seat on the wall opposite the controls (ADA 608.2.1).
- ADA roll-in shower: at least 30 × 60 in (76 × 152 cm) inside with the 60 in side open (ADA 608.2.2). An alternate roll-in is at least 36 × 60 in.
- Curbless floors still need the 2% minimum slope, so the subfloor is usually recessed, or a linear drain runs along the back wall.
Space and water around the shower
Plan 24 in (61 cm) of clear floor in front of the entry, the IRC minimum; 30 in (76 cm) is more comfortable and leaves room for a bath mat. A hinged glass door needs its own swing: a 24 in door swings 24 in into the room, so keep the toilet and vanity out of that arc, or use a sliding or pivot door.
Federal law caps showerhead flow at 2.5 gallons per minute (9.5 L/min) at 80 psi. EPA WaterSense-labeled heads use 2.0 gpm (7.6 L/min) or less, and California limits new heads to 1.8 gpm (6.8 L/min). A 10-minute shower at 2.0 gpm uses 20 gallons (76 L), which is about half of what a standard bathtub holds.
For curtain sizes in a tub-shower or stall, see shower curtain dimensions; for wall and floor tile formats, see tile sizes.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is a shower in centimeters?
Glass shower enclosures are usually 183-193 cm (72-76 in) tall, and some reach 203 cm (80 in). One-piece fiberglass stalls are about 183-213 cm (72-84 in). The showerhead outlet is commonly set around 203 cm (80 in) above the floor.
What is the standard size of a rectangular shower in meters?
Common rectangular trays are 1.2 × 0.8 m, 1.2 × 0.9 m, 1.4 × 0.9 m and 1.6 × 0.8 m. In the US, the closest sizes are 48 × 32 in (1.22 × 0.81 m), 48 × 36 in (1.22 × 0.91 m) and 60 × 32 in (1.52 × 0.81 m).
How big is a walk-in shower?
A doorless walk-in shower usually needs at least 60 in (152 cm) of length so the spray stays inside, with a common footprint of 36 × 60 in (91 × 152 cm) or 42 × 60 in (107 × 152 cm). Larger walk-ins run 48 × 72 in (122 × 183 cm) or more.
How big should a shower be in a 1:12 dollhouse?
Divide real sizes by 12. A 36 × 36 in stall becomes 3 × 3 in (7.6 × 7.6 cm), a 60 × 32 in tub-shower becomes 5 × 2.7 in, and an 80 in enclosure becomes about 6.7 in (17 cm) tall.
What is the standard shower width?
36 in (91 cm) is the most common stall width. Neighbors are 32 in (81 cm) for tight spaces and 42-48 in (107-122 cm) for more elbow room. Tub-replacement showers are 60 in wide and 30-32 in deep.
Does a shower need a door of a certain size?
Under the IRC, the shower opening must have a clear width of at least 22 in (56 cm). ADA transfer showers need the full 36 in opening, and roll-in showers need a 60 in opening along the long side.