Shingle Calculator
Count the shingle bundles, starter strip and ridge cap your roof needs.
What you'll need to order
- architectural shingles
- starter strip
- hip and ridge cap
- roofing nails
Prices vary by region and haul distance. Get quotes from at least two local suppliers.
How this calculator works
bundles = (roof area ÷ 100) × 3 × 1.10
Three bundles cover one square of 100 sq ft. Starter strip and ridge cap are sold separately and calculated by linear foot, not area — a common source of short orders.
Switch the site to metric — the control is in the footer — and your inputs, your results and the tables below follow. The formula, the constants, the guidance text and the sources stay in US units on purpose: that is how the standards they come from are written, and restating them would detach each figure from the document you are meant to be able to check it against.
Where these numbers come from
- ASTM D3462 (Asphalt Shingles Made from Glass Felt) 2021 — shingle classification; three bundles per square is the near-universal packaging convention, not a standard
Check the edition. Codes are amended every few years, and the one your inspector works from may not be the one named above.
Worked example
With roof area 1500 sq ft, total eave length 80 ft, ridge and hip length 40 ft, this calculator returns 49.5 .
Waste allowance
The headline figure includes a 10% allowance for waste and over-ordering. The exact requirement is shown alongside it.
Bundles needed for roofs of common size
Every row here opens the calculator already filled in. Copy that link and the numbers travel with it.
| Job | Size | Shingle bundles |
|---|---|---|
| Detached garage | 700 sq ft × 50 ft × 24 ft | 23.10 |
| Small ranch | 1500 sq ft × 80 ft × 40 ft | 49.50 |
| Typical two-storey | 2200 sq ft × 100 ft × 55 ft | 72.60 |
| Large house with hips | 3200 sq ft × 130 ft × 110 ft | 105.6 |
| Porch roof | 300 sq ft × 30 ft × 14 ft | 9.90 |
Starter strip and ridge cap are sold by the linear foot, not by area — the most common way an order comes up short.
Frequently asked questions
How many shingles do I need for a 1,500 square foot roof?
Fifteen squares at three bundles each is 45 bundles, or about 50 once you add 10% waste. That is the field shingles only — starter strip and ridge cap are extra.
How many linear feet does a bundle of starter strip cover?
Around 120 linear feet for most brands. Starter goes along every eave and, on many manufacturers' specs, up the rakes as well — check before ordering.
How much ridge cap do I need?
A bundle of hip and ridge cap covers roughly 20 to 25 linear feet. Measure every ridge and hip line. On a hip roof this adds up fast and is often underestimated.
Can I cut ridge cap from regular shingles?
With three-tab shingles, yes — it was standard practice for years. Architectural shingles are too thick to bend over a ridge without cracking, so they need purpose-made cap.