Shingle Calculator
Already know your roof area or square count — from a quote, an appraisal, or the roofing calculator above? Enter it here to get the bundles of shingles to order, plus starter strip and ridge cap bundles and a cost estimate.
Results
How the shingle calculator works
If you already have your roof's area or square count — from a contractor's quote, an appraisal, or the roofing calculator above — this calculator skips straight to ordering: how many bundles of field shingles, how many bundles of starter strip and ridge/hip cap, and what it costs.
Formula: squares × (1 + waste%) × bundles-per-square = bundles. For starter strip and ridge/hip cap, linear feet ÷ 33 = bundles (a typical coverage figure — check your product's own coverage rate for an exact count).
| Shingle type | Bundles per square |
|---|---|
| 3-tab | 3 |
| Architectural / laminated | 3 |
| Heavier designer | 4 |
| Premium / luxury | 5 |
Ordering tips
- A roofing square is 100 sq ft. If your quote already states squares, switch the unit selector to squares instead of converting by hand.
- Add 10% waste for a simple gable roof, 15% for hips and valleys, and up to 18% for a complex, cut-up roof — the same allowance used on the roofing calculator.
- Starter strip runs the full eaves and rakes; ridge/hip cap runs the full ridge and hip lines. Measure both and add them together for the trim length field.
- Order 1 extra bundle beyond the calculated total for a small roof, and check that all bundles share the same production lot — color can shift slightly between runs.
Frequently asked questions
How many bundles of shingles do I need per square?
Most architectural and 3-tab shingles come three bundles to the square (100 sq ft). Heavier designer or luxury shingles run four or five bundles per square — check the wrapper and set the bundles-per-square to match.
How many squares is 2,000 square feet of roof?
2,000 sq ft is 20 squares — a roofing square is always 100 sq ft, regardless of shingle type. Divide your total roof area in square feet by 100 to get squares.
How much waste should I add when ordering shingles?
About 10% for a simple gable roof, 15% for a roof with hips and valleys, and up to 18% for a complex, cut-up roof with dormers. More cuts mean more offcuts, and you want full bundles left over for the ridge and repairs.
How many bundles of ridge cap do I need?
It depends on the product, but a common rule of thumb is about 33 linear feet of ridge or hip per bundle. Measure your total ridge and hip length and divide by that figure, then round up — or check your shingle brand’s own coverage rate for an exact count.