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Page last updated on 20th June 2025

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Bath vs shower: Is it cheaper to have a bath or shower?

“Is it cheaper to have a bath or shower”? When looking to save on energy bills, making changes to your water usage habits in the bathroom could make a difference. But exactly how much does it cost to shower? And how much water does a bath use?

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More energy saving tips

Well, the answer is not as easy as you might have hoped, as different factors need to be taken into account. Overall, short and efficient showers are likely the most energy-efficient option. But by starting to understand the cost of a bath vs. shower, you can make more informed decisions about your energy usage for you and your household, helping you save energy and reduce water waste.

What's on this page?

How much water does a shower use?
How much water does a bath use?
How much does it cost to run a bath or shower: hot water usage
What’s cheaper, a shower or a bath?

Is a shower or bath better: How much water does a shower use?

For many of us, a nice, long shower is just what we need after a long day. But exactly how much water does a shower use on average? For every minute you spend in the shower, a standard shower head uses around 10-15 litres of water. This means for a 10-minute shower, you are consuming around 100-150 litres of water, on average.

How much water does a bath use?

On average, a standard bath can hold around 80 litres of water. That’s if we’re filling it half-way, below the overflow. Is a shower or bath better, then? Based on water consumption alone you may think baths win, but this is dependent on the size of the bathtub and how much you fill it up. If you are someone who likes to fill their bathtub very full, you will likely be consuming a lot more water and energy than in an average shower.

How much does it cost to run a bath or shower: hot water usage

Heating water in the home typically accounts for around 12% of energy bills. This means it pays to be mindful about the amount of hot water you use during showers or baths.

Gas-powered heating tends to be cheaper than electric heating; however, increasing the hot water thermostat too high can be costly, regardless of which you use.

A smart meter in-home display, on a hallway table.

If you want to know how much energy having a bath or shower uses, and how much it costs you, your smart meter can help. If you have a smart meter, the smart meter's in-home display can tell you how much gas and electricity you’re using, in pounds and pence.

Check your in-home display before and after having a bath or shower, to work out how much it cost you. Remember to factor in any other appliances you have running at the same time.

Not got a smart meter yet? Enter the name of your supplier in the box below or learn more about the benefits of smart meters.

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What’s cheaper, a shower or a bath?

So, is a bath cheaper than a shower? The answer depends on several factors:

Shower flow rate

“How much water does a shower use?” The answer to this will depend on your shower’s flow rate. Using a shower head with a lighter flow rate could reduce how much water is used when the shower is running.

For instance, low-flow shower heads feature a built-in regulator designed to limit the flow of water, using around 6 litres of water per minute. In contrast, a standard shower head uses between 10-15 litres of water per minute, which can add up quickly during a 10-minute shower.

Shower duration

For those wondering 'how much does it cost to shower?', the longer the duration of your shower, the more costly it will be. So, if your goal is to be more mindful of your energy usage in the bathroom, halving the length of your shower is a simple energy-saving habit that will significantly reduce your water usage.

A 4-minute shower should be enough time to keep yourself clean and reduce high energy bills.

Bath water usage

“Are baths cheaper than showers?” This is all dependent on how much you fill your bathtub, how big it is, and how long you tend to shower for. A bathtub filled with 80 litres of water works out cheaper than a 10-minute shower using 100-150 litres of water. But overfilling your bathtub beyond what’s necessary can waste a lot of water.

If you’re looking to be more water efficient, switching to a low-flow or energy-efficient shower head could help you save money in the household and help conserve water. Just keep in mind that not all types of showers are compatible with low-flow heads before making the switch.

So, is it cheaper to have a bath or shower? Short, efficient showers tend to use the least energy and water, for most people. If you like to enjoy a relaxing bath from time to time, just be mindful of how you fill it. But consider the set-up of your bath and shower to understand what is likely to be cheapest for you.

If you’re interested in tracking your household energy usage, get a smart meter. With the smart meter’s in-home display, you can monitor your energy usage in near real-time so you can effectively cut down on your energy use in your home.