How Do You Measure a Shower Base, Including a Corner Base?

To measure for a shower base, record three things: the width and length of the footprint the pan will fill, where the existing drain sits measured from each wall, and whether the base goes into a three-wall alcove or a two-wall corner. Those figures tell you whether one of Ella's standard bases fits or whether a custom rectangle is needed, and What Sizes Do Ella Shower Bases and Shower Pans Come In? lists the sizes you are measuring against. This page walks through the measurements in order, the rules that apply to corner bases, and what to send when you ask for a base.

The Measurements to Take

1. Width. Measure across the opening the base will fill. On a standard Ella base the width is the figure that changes, 30, 32 or 36 inches, so the width of your alcove usually decides which standard size fits.
2. Length. Measure along the back wall. All three standard bases are 60 inches long, and on a custom base the threshold goes on the longer side.
3. Drain position. Find the existing drain line in the floor and measure from its center to each wall. A standard base has its drain in a set position on the left or the right, and a custom base can place it left, right or center, but the drain must sit at least 9 inches from each wall.
4. Layout. Note whether the base is enclosed by three walls or sits in a corner against two walls, because the team places the drain and the finished edges differently for each.
5. Entry. Note which side is the entry and whether a curb-less roll-in edge, a 3 inch step-in threshold or a zero threshold flush with the floor is wanted.

With those five notes you can compare your space to the table below before anyone cuts the floor.

Standard Sizes Versus Custom Ranges

What the table means for your tape measure is simple. If the length is 60 inches and the width is 30, 32 or 36 inches, a standard base fits and the drain position is already decided, so all you confirm is left or right. Any other footprint is a custom request, and pans shorter than 60 inches are routine: a 58 by 30 inch base with a center drain has been produced, and sizes such as 46 by 46, 50 by 30 and 36 by 44 inches have all been handled as custom builds. A 38 by 80 inch base with a left drain is within the limits, while a request such as 53 by 76 inches cannot be produced. What sizes do shower pans come in, from smallest to largest? walks the whole range from the smallest custom pan to the largest.

Measuring a Corner Base

A corner base is a rectangle that meets two walls instead of three, and its measurements are taken the same way: width along one wall, length along the other, and the drain center measured from each wall. The corner range runs from 30 by 30 inches up to 42 by 60 inches, and a 36 by 36 inch corner base has been produced. Two rules matter more in a corner. First, only rectangles are made. A neo-angle corner, a curved front or any other non-rectangular footprint is not offered, so if your corner only works with an angled pan, that is the point at which to look elsewhere, as Who makes custom shower pans for odd bathroom layouts? explains. Second, the 9 inch drain rule applies to both walls, so a drain tucked tightly into the corner may not be matched. Tell the team it is a corner installation when you ask, because the drain and edges are placed differently than on an alcove base.

Drain Positions That Cannot Be Matched

The drain measurement is the one that most often decides whether a base can be made. The drain must sit at least 9 inches from each wall, and a drain only 7 inches from the threshold edge is not possible, even on a custom base. If your existing drain is in an unusual spot, or the installation is on a concrete slab with no access from below, do not order yet. Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with a simple drawing of the space showing the walls, the size you want and where the existing drain is. The team confirms whether a base can be made to match and what drain hardware ships with it. Can I Get a Custom Size Shower Base Made for My Space? lists what else to have ready when you ask.

Threshold Height Changes What You Measure Against

Size is only half the choice, because the same footprint is offered with different entry heights, as What standard sizes do shower pans come in? lays out. Barrier-free roll-in pans have no curb and ship with a self-adhesive collapsible rubber dam that keeps water in while a wheelchair rolls across it. A 3 inch step-in threshold base is offered for bathers who want a slightly raised edge, and a custom base typically has a threshold of about 3 inches. Zero threshold bases sit flush with the surrounding floor. SMC low-profile bases, molded from sheet molding compound, include a 1 inch reversible linear-drain base and a barrier-free linear-drain base. Cultured marble reversible bases came in three sizes, and the video on this page shows them as molded solid bases with a glossy gelcoat finish and a slip-resistant textured floor that are heavy and take at least two people to install. Those kits have been on hold with no restock date, so check availability before planning around them. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm which threshold style suits your bathroom and how it meets your plumbing rough-in. Ella pans, standard or custom, are finished acrylic and are not tiled over, so the measurements you take are for the finished floor itself.

Watch: Cultured Marble Reversible Shower Base with Low Threshold for Safer Bathing | Ella’s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Related Guides

• Custom-Size Shower Bases: Size Ranges, Threshold Options, Drain Placement Rules, Construction, and How to Request One
• How Close to the Wall Can the Drain Be on a Custom Shower Base, and Can It Be Centered?
• What Is the Largest Custom Shower Base Ella's Bubbles Can Make?

Common Questions