What Is a Shower Pan and How Does It Work?

You can’t fry an egg in this pan

Bathroom with a sink and a shower
Photo: Anatoli Igolkin / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Bathroom with a sink and a shower
Photo: Anatoli Igolkin / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Stephanie Mickelson
Written by Stephanie Mickelson
Contributing Writer
Updated May 12, 2025
Highlights

  • A shower pan forms the bottom of the shower and protects the bathroom floor from overflow.

  • Shower pans come in different shapes and sizes to fit various shower styles.

  • A shower base is a separate piece and the substructure that sits underneath the pan.

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Whether you’re in the market for a new shower or want to get to know the construction of your current shower a little better, it's time to better understand what a shower pan is. We’re here to give you all the details, so you can head into shower hunting with confidence or feel a little more comfortable knowing what you’re stepping into when it’s shower time.

What Is a Shower Pan?

A shower pan is the insert on the bottom of the shower that contains the drain—in other words, it’s the floor of the shower. It also has sidewalls and a threshold to keep the water contained while the shower is running. 

Shower pans are slightly sloped toward the drain to encourage proper drainage and prevent overflow. They come in several materials that fit different budgets and shower and bathroom designs. A local shower installer can help you choose the best material for your bathroom. 

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Types of Shower Pans

4 common prefabricated shower pans compared by size, including square, rectangle, corner, and neo angle

Shower pans are made of acrylic or fiberglass, which are lightweight and waterproof. They also come in several shower pan sizes and shapes that allow for easy integration with a range of shower styles. Here are some standard sizes, but they’re available in other sizes as well.

  • Square shower pans have equal length and width.

  • Rectangular shower pans have one longer side and one shorter side. 

  • Corner shower pans are shaped like a fan and have two equal sides that meet in the corner with a rounded front. 

  • Neo angle shower pans have a pentagon shape with two equal sides that meet in the corner and two angled sides that meet the straight front. These pans are measured by the two equal sides. 

Type of ShowerStandard Shower Pan Size (Inches)
Square30x30 or 42x42
Rectangular42x32 or 60x30
Corner32x32 or 36x36
Neo angle 36x36 or 42x42

Shower Pan vs. Shower Base

White shower base
Photo: PC Photography / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

The terms shower pan and shower base are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. A shower pan is what your feet stand on when you step into a shower, but the shower base is just as important. The shower base is underneath the shower pan and is made from cement mortar to protect the subfloor from leaks. 

The shower base also provides a firm base when the shower pan is installed and the mortar is still slightly wet, allowing it to conform to the sloped shape of the shower pan.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Deciding between using a shower pan or tile will likely come down to the shower’s design. You can learn how to install a shower pan liner, but it has a standard look similar to most other showers, though there is some flexibility for material and color choices. Tile, on the other hand, can be customized and is set directly into the shower base. However, a shower tile floor is more difficult to install than a shower pan.

Tile—specifically smaller, mosaic-style tiles—is the best type of flooring for building a walk-in shower base. Shower pans come with a threshold and sidewalls to contain the water, but tile can be set into the shower base. This creates a walk-in shower floor that gently slopes toward the drain to keep water from getting out and into the rest of the bathroom.

Shower pan replacement costs depend on the size and shape of the pan and whether you install it or hire a shower installer. On average, replacing a shower pan costs around $1,620, but costs range between $900 and $2,300. Hiring an experienced pro helps ensure that the installation is done correctly and your shower won’t leak. 

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Learn more about our contributor
Stephanie Mickelson
Written by Stephanie Mickelson
Contributing Writer
Stephanie Mickelson is a freelance writer covering home improvement, real estate, design, and personal finance. Before beginning her freelance career, she worked in residential construction, specifically remodeling kitchens, installing cabinets, flooring, countertops, trim, and more.

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