How many bundles of shingles in a square?
Most asphalt shingles, 3-tab and architectural, are packaged three bundles per square (100 sq ft). Some heavy designer lines use four or five. Check the wrapper for the coverage per bundle.
Field bundles = roof area × (1 + waste) ÷ 100 × bundles per square, rounded up
Starter bundles = eave and rake length ÷ 105 ft
Ridge cap bundles = ridge and hip length ÷ 31 ft
Starter and ridge cap coverage varies by brand: starter strips commonly cover 100 to 120 linear feet per bundle and ridge caps 20 to 33 feet. The calculator uses 105 and 31 as typical values, so check your product's label.
Other materials to order
- Synthetic underlayment: one 10-square roll per 1,000 sq ft, plus overlap.
- Ice and water shield: along eaves in cold climates (at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall) and in valleys.
- Drip edge: eave plus rake length, in 10 ft sections.
- Roofing nails: about 320 per square at four nails per shingle, more in high-wind zones.
Not sure of the area? Start with the roofing squares calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many bundles of shingles in a square?
Three for most 3-tab and architectural shingles.
How many bundles for a 1,500 sq ft roof?
45 bundles before waste, or 50 with 10% waste.
How much does a bundle cover?
About 33.3 sq ft for three-bundle-per-square shingles.
Can I use field shingles as starter?
Many roofers cut 3-tab shingles for starter, but most architectural shingle warranties require the manufacturer's starter strip.