Why Shingle Calculators Matter
Accurate shingle estimates help you price jobs, place orders, and schedule crews with confidence.
This calculator turns roof dimensions into material quantities—reducing over-ordering, extra trips, and delays.
Key uses:
- Convert roof area into squares (100 sq ft units)
- Estimate 3-tab bundles, felt rolls (15/30 lb), and nails
- Apply a waste factor for cuts, edges, and starter/hip/ridge
- Get a fast cost estimate based on bundle price
How the Calculator Works
- Enter dimensions
- Roof length and width (ft). Pitch helps interpret slope; always follow your plan details.
- Add cost per bundle
- Use your current supplier rate to see the total material cost.
- We compute
- Total roof area (sq ft) → Squares
- Bundles (3-tab) and Nails (rule-of-thumb)
- Felt rolls (15-lb and 30-lb) using typical coverage assumptions
- Estimated total cost (bundles × cost)
Assumptions: rectangular plan area, typical waste allowance for cutting and trim, standard felt roll coverage. Always confirm with your supplier’s coverage and your project’s spec.
Example
Inputs:
- Length 100 ft, Width 100 ft, Pitch 7/12, Bundle cost $40
Result (rounded):
- Squares to cover: 101
- 3-tab bundles: 301
- Nails: 32,100
- Felt rolls: 26 (15-lb) or 51 (30-lb)
- Estimated cost: $12,040
(Numbers shown for illustration; your project may vary by pitch method, brand coverage, and waste.)
Pro Tips
- Pitch increases material. Complex roofs (valleys, hips, dormers) need more waste—plan 10–15% vs 5–8% for simple gables.
- Check manufacturer coverage. Architectural and 3-tab shingles can cover differently; confirm “bundles per square.”
- Don’t forget accessories. Starter, hip/ridge caps, drip edge, flashing, and underlayment often aren’t fully captured by simple area math.
Benefits & Limitations
Benefits
- Fast, consistent takeoffs for bids and orders
- Clear outputs for bundles, felt, and nails
- Instant cost estimate using your live price
Limitations
- Outputs are estimates—complex roofs and brand-specific coverage can change quantities
- Waste factors vary by layout, pitch, and installer method
Always verify against the manufacturer’s spec and roof plan
