How do you calculate asphalt shingles?
Avery Gonzales
Published Apr 05, 2026
How do you calculate asphalt shingles?
To estimate how many shingles you’ll need, first estimate the total square footage of your roof’s surface. To do this, measure the length and width of each plane on the roof, including dormers. Then, multiply length x width to get the square footage of each plane.
How do you measure for a roof replacement?
How to Measure a Roof for Shingles
- First, you must measure the length and width of each plane of the roof, including dormers.
- Next, to calculate the square footage of each rectangular plane, multiply the length by the width.
How many square feet are in a square of shingles?
100 square feet
A roofing square is equal to 100 square feet of the roof. To determine the number of squares on the gable roof example in this post, divide its total of 2400 square feet by 100 (2400 ÷ 100 = 24). This means you would need 24 squares of shingles to cover that roof.
How do you measure a roof for shingles?
As you begin shopping for materials, you might wonder how to measure a roof for shingles. After all, roofing materials vary greatly in cost and are priced per square foot. To determine the size of your roof, contact a professional roofer who can measure your roof and provide an estimate for the roofing project.
How to calculate the price of asphalt shingles?
Roof Shingle Calculator 2018 – Estimate Asphalt Shingles Prices 1 Measure your roof accurately. 2 Add overhangs. 3 Enter appropriate roof pitch / slope. 4 Choose roof type. 5 Click the “CALCULATE” button.
How do you measure the pitch of a roof?
Add that to your square footage total. Measure the pitch of your roof in the attic. Mark a length of 1 foot (0.30 m) on a long level, starting from one end. Hold the end you measured from against the bottom of a rafter so it’s sticking straight out horizontally and is level.
Which is the best way to measure the slope of a roof?
The most accurate way to measure your roof is by being on top of the roof itself. You can make sure each roof section’s slope area is accounted for. You’ll need some graph paper, measuring tape, and a calculator. For our example, we’ll use a hip roof, though you can use this technique to measure any shape roof with varying complexity.
How do you determine the size of a roof shingle?
Determine the cost. Use a tape measure to measure the approximate square footage of your roof. Shingles are sold by the square, and each square will cover 100 square feet. Measure the length and width of your roof area to determine the square footage. Multiply the results together.
How big does a roof need to be for asphalt shingles?
This will help determine how the shingles will lay on the roof width. Most asphalt shingles are 3 feet (91.4 centimeters) in length. If your roof’s width is not an even multiple of the shingle’s length, you will have a partial piece on one end of each row. The bottom row of shingles must hang past the edge of the roof.
How do you measure the square footage of a roof?
If you have a simple gable roof, it has two planes. The more architectural details your roof has, the more planes you will have to measure. Measure each plane. Find the length and width of each plane. Then, multiply those two numbers together to find the square footage of that plane.
How do you calculate the number of bundles for asphalt shingles?
Add the areas of each section together, then divide by 100 to get the correct number of squares. Multiply this number by 3 to get the number of bundles you’ll need to buy.