Shower Water Usage Calculator
Shower water use adds up quickly across a household, and it's easy to underestimate both the litres and the cost of heating them. Enter your shower head flow rate, typical duration and household size below for a weekly usage and cost estimate.
Estimate your household's shower water usage
Enter your shower head flow rate, typical duration, and household size.
Standard ~9L/min, eco/low-flow ~6L/min.
Estimated usage: 216 litres/day
1512 litres per week
That's roughly £9.07 a week in water heating costs alone, before your water supplier's own charges.
Recommended products
A few well-reviewed shower heads, including low-flow options.
£39.99
Pros
- Large 110mm spray face for good coverage
- 5 spray settings
- Rub-clean nozzles make limescale removal easy
Cons
- Replacement head only — no hose or fittings included
- 5 Years
£89.00
Pros
- Digital display shows selected temperature
- 3 spray patterns
- 8.5kW electric heating works independently of home hot water pressure
Cons
- Requires a qualified electrician for installation
- Midnight Black finish shows fingerprints more than chrome
£14.50
Pros
- 3-function shower handset
- Rub-clean nozzles for easy maintenance
- Eco water-saving mode
- Suitable for low-pressure systems
Cons
- Chrome-plated ABS rather than solid metal
Frequently asked questions
How much water does an average shower use?
A standard shower head running at around 9 litres per minute for an 8-minute shower uses roughly 72 litres — noticeably more than a bath in many cases, especially with a powerful electric or mixer shower.
Do low-flow shower heads really make a difference?
Yes — an eco or low-flow shower head running at around 6 litres per minute instead of 9-12 litres can cut water (and water-heating energy) use by a third or more, without most people noticing a meaningful drop in pressure.
Is a shower always cheaper than a bath?
A short, efficient shower usually uses less water than a full bath, but a long shower with a powerful flow rate can easily use more water than a bath — duration and flow rate matter as much as which one you choose.
How can I reduce shower water usage without a new shower head?
Simply cutting shower time by a couple of minutes makes a real difference over a week, and turning the water off while shampooing or soaping up (a "navy shower" technique) can cut usage significantly for anyone willing to try it.