FixerCalc

Shingle Calculator

Shingles are sold in squares and bundles, not “a roof’s worth.” This calculator converts geometry into order quantities, with starter and ridge as separate line items.

Last reviewed 2026-08-25. How we calculate

Results update as you type. Units stay imperial inside the math.

Roof

Used only if “I already know roof area” is selected. Enter net sloped area before waste.

Packaging
Starter and ridge

Total eaves where you will use starter strip. Leave 0 to skip.

Many starter bundles cover about 100–120 linear feet. Check the product.

Cut-from-3-tab often covers ~33 ft per bundle; purpose-made cap differs.

Results

  • Field shingle bundles

    45

  • Squares to order

    14.8

  • Area with waste

    1,476 sq ft

  • Starter bundles

    1

  • Ridge / hip cap bundles

    2

Net area before waste
1,342 sq ft
Bundles per square used
3
  • Bundle coverage is not universal. Laminate shingles are often 3 bundles per square; some products differ. Read the bundle label.
  • Hips, valleys, and steep waste can exceed a 10% add-on. When in doubt, round up and keep same-lot extras.

How this calculation works

  1. Net area comes from footprint × pitch factor, or from a number you already measured.
  2. Waste multiplies net area. Field shingles = that area. Squares = area / 100. Bundles = squares × bundles per square, rounded up.
  3. Starter and ridge use linear coverage printed on those products, not the field-shingle square count.

squares = area × (1+waste%) / 100; bundles = ceil(squares × bundlesPerSquare); starter = ceil(eaves / coverage); ridge = ceil(ridge / coverage)

What to do next

  • Match bundles-per-square and ridge coverage to the exact product on the pallet tag.
  • Order extra from the same lot; dye lots do not always match next season.
  • Ice-and-water shield and underlayment are sold by the roll and are not included here.

FAQ

Why round bundles up?
You cannot buy 0.4 of a bundle from most yards, and running short on a roof is worse than a leftover bundle from the same lot.
Can I use leftover 3-tab as ridge?
Some crews cut 3-tab for cap on a matching 3-tab roof. Laminate roofs usually want a matching hip-and-ridge product. Follow the manufacturer if you care about the warranty.

Sources

  • US asphalt shingles are commonly packaged 3 bundles per square (100 sq ft); verify the wrapper
  • Starter and ridge coverage vary by product; defaults are typical planning lengths, not a specific SKU

Cost defaults are typical US planning bands, last reviewed 2026-08-25. Edit the price fields on this page rather than treating them as a local market index.