What is a roofing square?

A roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof area. Shingles are sold by the square - typically 3 bundles cover one square. Industry standard measurement for estimating materials and labor.

How does roof pitch affect material needs?

Steeper pitch requires more shingles. A 6/12 pitch needs ~18% more material than flat. Our calculator automatically adjusts for pitch to give accurate square footage.

How much does roofing cost per square?

Residential roofing costs $300-500 per square installed (2025 average). Materials alone: $100-150/square for asphalt shingles. Metal and tile cost significantly more.

How many bundles of shingles per square?

Standard: 3 bundles per square for 3-tab shingles. Architectural shingles: 3-4 bundles per square. Always check bundle coverage as it varies by manufacturer and shingle type.

Should I add extra for waste?

Yes, add 10-15% waste for cuts, mistakes, and complex roofs. Simple gable roofs: 10%. Hip roofs or valleys: 15%. Better to have extra than delay the project.

Roofing Calculator

Calculate shingles and roofing materials needed for your project

Roofing Calculator

Calculate roofing materials needed for your project. Get roof squares, shingles, underlayment, and cost estimates instantly.

Roof Length *

Length of roof section

Roof Width *

Width of roof section

Roof Pitch (Rise) *

inches

Rise in inches per 12 inches run (6/12 is common)

Waste Factor

10% standard, 15% for complex roofs

Understanding Roofing Squares

A roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof area. Roofers use squares instead of square feet for simplicity. Shingles are sold by the square, with typically 3 bundles covering one square.

Roof pitch (slope) significantly affects material needs. A 6/12 pitch means the roof rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run. Steeper roofs require more materials than flat roofs covering the same ground area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this tool