How to Space Anti-Slip Strips in a Tub or Shower

Anti-slip strips have no universal spacing in inches: center and space them evenly across the tub or shower’s standing area so your feet land on textured material where you normally stand. Lay out every strip before removing the backing, and use the pattern supplied with the product if it includes one. The goal is practical coverage, not filling the entire tub or shower floor with strips.

Where Anti-Slip Strips Belong in a Tub or Shower

Anti-slip strips belong on the floor of the tub or shower, not on the sidewalls, drain cover, or sloped edges. The important zone is the standing area, the part of the floor where you place both feet while showering or stepping into the tub.

The bathtub or shower standing area is the place for either non-skid strips or a non-skid mat. That distinction matters because strips are meant to improve traction underfoot, while a mat can cover a larger or irregularly shaped area.

Do not place strips:

Over the drain or drain cover
On the sharply curved sides of a bathtub floor
Across loose, peeling, cracked, or newly refinished surfaces
Across deep grout joints that keep the strip from lying flat
On a wet or soapy surface

If the tub or shower floor already has a textured, slip-resistant finish, adhesive strips may not bond well. In that case, a non-skid bath mat made for the fixture may be the better option.

How to Install and Space Anti-Slip Strips

Choose the layout that fits the condition of your tub or shower before you begin.

Tub or Shower Condition	Best Layout Choice	What to Avoid
Smooth, sound tub or shower floor	Parallel strips arranged in even rows across the standing area	Putting strips only along the outer edges
Narrow tub floor	A centered set of strips that follows the flat bottom	Running strips up the curved sides
Large shower pan	Several rows covering the area where you stand and turn	Leaving a broad bare lane in the middle
Floor with a drain near the center	Place strips around the drain while keeping it clear	Covering or bridging the drain
Textured, peeling, cracked, or irregular floor	Use a compatible non-skid mat instead	Forcing adhesive strips onto a poor surface

Step 1: Check That the Surface Can Accept Adhesive

Look closely at the floor finish before opening the strips.
Do not apply adhesive strips over peeling paint, loose refinishing material, cracks, or chipped enamel. The strips can pull loose material away when removed.
Make sure the product is intended for your fixture material, such as porcelain, enamel, fiberglass, acrylic, tile, or a shower pan.
Identify the flattest part of the tub or shower floor. That is the area most suitable for the strips.

A bathtub floor often curves upward near the sides. Center the layout in the basin.

Step 2: Clean and Dry the Floor Completely

Remove soap film, body-oil residue, shampoo, and any cleaner that leaves a slick coating.
Rinse the floor thoroughly so no cleaning residue remains.
Dry the entire installation area with a clean towel, including around the drain and along the edges of the standing area.
Let the surface air-dry if moisture remains in seams or texture.

A strip installed over invisible soap residue may look secure at first but can lift at the corners later.

Step 3: Mark the Standing Area

Stand in the empty, dry tub or shower as you normally would while bathing.
Notice where each foot lands, where you shift your weight, and where you turn toward the controls.
Use small pieces of painter’s tape on the tub rim, shower wall, or just outside the floor area to mark the boundaries of that standing zone.

For a standard bathtub, center the layout along the bottom of the basin.

Step 4: Dry-Lay the Strips and Work Out Equal Gaps

Arrange the strips on the dry floor with the backing still on. Set them in parallel rows.

If the product includes a placement diagram, use that pattern. If it does not, you can create even gaps with a simple measurement:

Measure only the width you plan to use.
Measure the width of one strip.
Count how many strips you plan to use in a row.
Subtract the combined width of the strips from the usable width.
Divide the remaining space by the number of gaps, including the two outer margins.

For example, if you have strips arranged side by side, the space between each strip should match the margin between the outside strips and the edge of the standing area. This gives the layout a balanced pattern without guessing.

Use the layout width rather than the full width of the tub or shower floor.

Step 5: Apply the Strips and Inspect the Edges

Start with the center strip so the layout stays aligned.
Peel the backing away without touching the adhesive more than necessary.
Set the strip in place without stretching it, then press it firmly from one end to the other.
Apply the remaining strips using the dry-laid arrangement as your guide.
Press along every edge and corner to make sure it lies flat.

Do not use the tub or shower until the adhesive’s stated bonding period has passed. Adhesive formulas vary, so there is no single wait time that works for every strip product.

If an edge lifts, remove and replace that strip before using the tub or shower. Raised edges can catch a foot instead of improving traction.

Layouts for Tubs, Showers, and Irregular Floors

Parallel strips can suit standard bathtubs and walk-in showers, while compact or odd-shaped shower floors may need a non-skid mat.

Standard Bathtub Layout

Parallel strips generally work well in a bathtub.

Place the first strip at the layout center, then build outward with matching gaps.

Walk-In Shower Layout

A walk-in shower may have a larger standing area, but its floor also slopes toward a drain. Parallel rows can suit a walk-in shower.

Small or Odd-Shaped Shower Floors

A compact shower pan may not have enough flat space for several straight strips. If the strips would need to cross deep grout joints, switch to a non-skid mat designed for use inside a tub or shower.

When a Non-Skid Mat Is a Better Choice

Non-skid strips are useful when you want a low-profile, semi-permanent traction surface. A non-skid mat can be the better choice when you rent.

Choose a mat when:

The tub or shower has a refinished surface that could be damaged by adhesive removal
You want traction coverage that can be removed for cleaning
You need broader coverage than individual strips reasonably can provide.

Use a mat made specifically for inside a tub or shower, and make sure it lies flat before stepping on it. Do not put a loose bathroom rug inside the tub or shower.

Check the Installation and Reduce Other Slip Hazards

Once the strips are bonded, check the installation before treating the job as finished.

The drain should remain uncovered and able to drain freely.
Check the finished layout in the normal standing position.
The finished floor should still be easy to clean.

Anti-slip strips improve footing inside the fixture, but they do not help much with stepping in, stepping out, or recovering balance. Mount grab bars on both the inside and outside of tubs and showers. A secure grab bar provides something stable to hold while you cross the tub wall, step onto a wet shower floor, or exit onto the bathroom floor.

Also use a non-skid bath mat outside the tub or shower where water commonly lands. Keep the floor clear of loose rugs, towels, and clothing that can slide underfoot.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure and space anti-slip strips in a tub?

There is no universal inch measurement for anti-slip strip spacing. Measure only the flat standing area, dry-lay the strips before removing the backing, and divide the leftover space into equal gaps between strips and at the outer edges. Keep the layout centered where both feet normally land.

Should anti-slip strips run lengthwise or crosswise?

Either direction can work if the strips stay on the flat part of the tub or shower floor and cover the standing area. Choose the direction that keeps the strips farthest from curved tub walls, steep drain slopes, and the drain itself. Parallel rows are usually easier to space evenly and keep aligned.

What can I put in my bathtub to keep it from slipping?

Use non-skid strips or a non-skid mat on the bathtub standing area. Strips are a low-profile option for a smooth, sound surface, while a mat is useful for broader coverage or an irregular floor. Add a secure grab bar at the tub entrance if stepping in or out is the main concern.

Do I need grab bars if I have anti-slip strips?

Yes, because strips and grab bars solve different problems. Anti-slip strips help your feet grip the tub or shower floor, while grab bars help you steady yourself while entering, exiting, turning, or recovering your balance. Install grab bars both inside and outside the tub or shower access area.