Fun Facts: How Many Gallons Does a Bathtub Hold?
Jan 06, 2025Do baths or showers use more water? We answer the age-old question: How many gallons does a bathtub hold – and do showers save more water?
Whether you’re getting the kids ready for bedtime, wondering how long your teenager will leave the water running, or paying the monthly water bill, the question “how many gallons does a bathtub hold,” has certainly crossed your mind. So what’s the answer, and do baths or showers use more water?
How Many Gallons Does a Bathtub Hold?
Though the actual bathtub volume will vary by manufacturer and tub size, a standard 5-foot bathtub holds approximately 65 gallons of water. Larger bathtubs like a corner garden tub can hold anywhere from 85 to 100 gallons!
But what about showers? How do they compare in water usage, and which option is better if you’re looking to save water? Let’s break it down.
How Many Gallons of Water Does a Shower Use?
The water usage of a shower depends on the type of showerhead and the length of the shower. A standard 2.5 gallon-per-minute (gpm) showerhead will use about 25 gallons of water for a 10-minute shower. Low-flow showerheads, which use closer to 2 gallons per minute, can reduce this number even further.
In general, this makes showers a more water-efficient choice for those looking to cut back on household water use.
Do Baths or Showers Use More Water?
The amount of water used for a bath or shower depends on the duration of the shower and the type of bathtub. Here’s what we know:
- A bath in a standard tub uses about 65 gallons of water.
- A bath in a large corner garden tub uses 85 gallons of water or more.
- A 10-minute shower with a standard showerhead uses 25 gallons of water.
With that in mind, it’s clear to see that most households will find showers are the more water-efficient option – especially when using water-saving fixtures. For every 4 soaks in a garden tub, the same amount of water could fill 5 standard bathtubs, or provide 13 showers!
These are all estimates, of course. Inefficient or leaky fixtures, or exceptionally long showers can contribute to more shower water use that can add up over time.
Tub & Shower Options to Fit Your Home
Whether you prefer to soak in the tub or refresh in the shower, there are a variety of bath and shower combinations available to fit your family’s needs and your home’s available space.
Custom Walk-in Shower: Create the walk-in shower of your dreams with features like low-flow showerheads, built-in seating and storage, and timeless designs to go with any style.
Tub-Shower Combo: This practical, space-saving combination gives you the option of a nice soak or a quick shower depending on your needs. A tub-shower combo is ideal for small or guest bathrooms, households with kids, or single-bathroom households.
Side-by-Side Tub & Shower: Larger bathrooms often have space for a separate bathtub and shower arrangement that gives you both options, each customized to your needs.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion: Say goodbye to bulky bathtubs and hello to a water-efficient and space-efficient walk-in shower. A tub-to-shower conversion replaces your bathtub or tub-shower combo with a walk-in shower to maximize space and water efficiency.
Garden Tub Replacements: Corner garden tubs can feel luxurious but often take up a lot of space and water. Replace your oversized garden tub with a standard-size bathtub or a walk-in shower to regain as much as 25 square feet of space in your bathroom!
Save Space & Water With a Garden Tub ReplAcement
A garden tub could be costing your more than water. These oversized bathtubs can take 85 to 100 gallons of water to fill, and take up as much as 25 square feet of your bathroom footprint! This wasted space and wasted water is easy to fix. Download our free report to learn how you can reclaim your bathroom beautifully!
FREE DOWNLOAD: 5 Reasons Garden Tubs are the Most Wasteful Part of Your Home
Inside you’ll find:
- Floorplan ideas with walk-in showers and standard bathtubs to save space and water
- Insights on bathroom safety and how garden tubs contribute to slip-and-fall accidents
- 8 Ideas for how to use your reclaimed bathroom space with a better floorplan
Consider Your Tub & Shower Options with Improveit
When it’s time to update your bathroom, whether for space, style, or water efficiency, Improveit’s trained design consultants can walk through all the options to determine the best tub and shower combination for your home.
Click here or use the form on this page to schedule your free consultation and start planning your space-saving, water-saving bathroom update!
