Material calculator

Roof shingle calculator — squares + bundles

Estimate field shingles from a building footprint and roof pitch. It converts plan area to sloped roof area, then to roofing squares and shingle bundles.

Adjust these to match your project.

sq ft
in per 12

Enter the rise in a rise:12 pitch, e.g. 6 for a 6:12 roof.

bundles/square

3 is standard for many 3-tab and architectural shingles; some premium lines use 4 or 5.

%

10% covers starter strip, hip/ridge caps, valleys, and cutoffs on a simple roof. Use 15% for many hips, valleys, or dormers.

You'll need

56 bundles

Shingle bundles

Roofing squares
18.45 squares
Sloped roof area
1,845 sq ft

What this assumes

  • Slope factor = sqrt(1 + (6/12)^2) = 1.118.
  • 1500 ft² footprint × slope factor, +10% roofing waste, then ÷100 ft² per roofing square.
  • 3 bundles per square is the shingle bundle setting used here.
See what this typically costs →Get quotes from local pros

Coverage rates & sources

Every number this calculator uses is a published engineering constant — not an estimate we made up. Here is exactly what it assumes and where each value comes from.

  • Roofing square: 100 ft²/squareSource: Universal roofing trade unit (IKO, GAF, Owens Corning)
  • Standard bundles per square: 3 bundles/squareSource: IKO/GAF — standard shingles bundle 3/square (~33.3 ft²/bundle)
  • Premium bundles per square: 4 bundles/squareSource: Premium/designer shingles run 4–5/square; default 4
  • Slope factor: sqrt(1 + (rise/12)^2)Source: Geometry — converts horizontal plan area to actual sloped roof area
  • Roof waste allowance: 10%Source: Standard roofing waste for hips, valleys, starter, ridge, and cutoffs (GAF/IKO estimating guidance; complex roofs 15%)

Before you buy

  • The pitch multiplier estimates sloped area from the building footprint; it does not account for overhangs, dormers, or separate roof planes.
  • Bundle count covers field shingles only; starter, hip/ridge, underlayment, drip edge, and ice-and-water shield are separate.
  • Three bundles per square is standard, but some designer shingles are 4–5 bundles per square; check the wrapper before ordering.

This is a planning estimate, not a substitute for a pro's on-site measurement. For load-bearing, structural, or code-regulated work, confirm quantities with a licensed contractor.

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