It takes 3 bundles of shingles to cover 1 square. A square is a roofing term that means 100 square feet of roof. So each bundle covers about 33 square feet.
This is true for almost all 3-tab and architectural shingles, including the Malarkey shingles we install. Some extra thick designer shingles need 4 or 5 bundles per square. We cover those below.
Quick math: Roof size in square feet ÷ 100 = squares. Squares × 3 = bundles. Add 10 to 15 percent for waste.
Shingle Bundle Calculator
Enter your home’s footprint and roof pitch to estimate how many bundles you need.
This is an estimate. One square is 100 sq ft, and most architectural shingles cover a square with 3 bundles. Starter shingles and ridge caps are extra. Want an exact count?
Get a Free EstimateWhat Is a Roofing Square?
A square is how roofers measure roofs. One square equals 100 square feet of roof surface. It is a unit of measure, not a literal square shape.
Roofers use squares because it keeps the numbers small. A 2,000 square foot roof is a 20 square roof. That roof needs about 60 bundles before waste.
Why 3 Bundles per Square?
Shingle makers split a square into 3 bundles so each one stays light enough to carry. A full square in one package would weigh over 200 pounds.
The 3 bundle rule assumes standard installation. Each shingle covers part of the one below it. The part you can see is called the exposure, and it is about 5 to 5.5 inches on most shingles. Bundle coverage is figured at that exposure. Stretching shingles past their rated exposure to save material causes leaks and voids the warranty.
Malarkey packages its Vista and Highlander architectural shingles at exactly 3 bundles per square, with 66 shingles per square. GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed package most standard shingles the same way. The bundle count is printed on the wrapper.
Bundles per Square by Shingle Type
| Shingle type | Bundles per square | Shingles per bundle | Bundle weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-tab | 3 | 26 to 29 | 50 to 60 lbs |
| Architectural (most brands, including Malarkey Vista and Highlander) | 3 | 22 to 25 | 65 to 85 lbs |
| Designer and luxury (like CertainTeed Presidential) | 4 to 5 | 16 to 22 | 80 to 120 lbs |
| Cedar shake | 4 to 5 | varies | 75 to 100 lbs |
Always check the wrapper or spec sheet. A few premium products break the 3 bundle rule in both directions.
Shingle Coverage Chart
| Roof size (sq ft) | Squares | Bundles (3 per square) | Order with 10% waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 10 | 30 | 33 |
| 1,500 | 15 | 45 | 50 |
| 2,000 | 20 | 60 | 66 |
| 2,500 | 25 | 75 | 83 |
| 3,000 | 30 | 90 | 99 |
| 4,000 | 40 | 120 | 132 |
| 5,000 | 50 | 150 | 165 |
Note: roof size is not the same as house size. A 2,000 square foot house usually has more than 2,000 square feet of roof because of pitch and overhangs. See the next section.
How to Figure Out How Many Bundles Your Roof Needs
- Measure your home’s footprint. Length times width of the house, plus the garage.
- Adjust for pitch. Steeper roofs have more surface area. Multiply your footprint by the number in the table below.
- Divide by 100 to get squares.
- Multiply squares by 3 to get bundles.
- Add 10 to 15 percent for waste. Simple roofs need 10 percent. Roofs with hips, valleys, and dormers need 15 percent or more.
- Add starter and ridge material. Starter shingles run along the eaves under the first row. Ridge caps cover the peak. Both are sold in their own bundles and are not part of your field shingle count. Plan on 1 to 2 extra bundles of starter for a typical house.
| Roof pitch | Multiply footprint by |
|---|---|
| Low (4/12 or less) | 1.05 to 1.15 |
| Medium (5/12 to 8/12) | 1.15 to 1.25 |
| Steep (9/12 and up) | 1.3 to 1.45 |
Example: A 1,600 square foot footprint with a medium pitch. 1,600 × 1.2 = 1,920 square feet of roof. That is 19.2 squares. 19.2 × 3 = 58 bundles. Add 10 percent for waste and you land at 64 bundles, plus starter and ridge caps.
Common Mistakes When Counting Bundles
- Using the house footprint as the roof size. Pitch adds 15 to 45 percent more surface. This is the most common way people come up short.
- Skipping the waste factor. Every valley, edge, and vent cut wastes material. Zero waste is not a real number.
- Forgetting starter and ridge shingles. They are separate products and separate bundles.
- Assuming every shingle is 3 bundles per square. Designer shingles can take 4 or 5. Check the wrapper.
- Mixing dye lots. Shingle color varies slightly between factory batches. Order everything from one lot when you can, or blend bundles across the roof.
How Much Does a Square of Shingles Cost?
Standard architectural shingles run about $100 to $130 per square for the material alone. Designer shingles cost more. Labor, tear off, underlayment, flashing, and disposal are separate. For full installed pricing in our area, see our roof replacement cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bundles of shingles are in a square?
Three bundles for almost all 3-tab and architectural shingles. Thick designer shingles can take 4 or 5.
How many square feet does one bundle cover?
About 33 square feet. Three bundles cover one square, which is 100 square feet.
How many bundles of shingles do I need for 1,000 square feet?
Thirty bundles, plus 3 or 4 more for waste. Plan on 33 to 34 bundles.
How much does a bundle of shingles weigh?
Most bundles weigh 50 to 85 pounds. Designer shingle bundles can pass 100 pounds.
Do I need starter shingles too?
Yes. Starter shingles go along the eaves under the first row of field shingles. They are sold separately and are not counted in the 3 bundles per square. A typical house needs 1 to 2 bundles of starter.
What about the ridge?
Hips and ridges use ridge cap shingles sold in their own bundles. They are also separate from your field shingle count. Learn how ridges vent your attic in our ridge vent vs box vent guide.
Can I return unused bundles?
Most suppliers take back unopened bundles, and some charge a restocking fee. It is smarter to have 2 extra bundles than to run short mid job and chase a matching dye lot.
Can I stretch shingles to use fewer bundles?
No. Shingles are rated for a set exposure. Stretching them past it causes leaks and voids the warranty.
Do bundles come with nails?
No. Roofing nails are separate. Figure 4 to 6 nails per shingle, which is roughly 10,000 or more nails on a 2,000 square foot roof. High wind areas and steep pitches call for 6 nails per shingle.
Get an Exact Count for Your Roof
Napkin math gets you close. A real measurement gets you a real price. We measure every roof we quote, and the estimate is free.
Jobin Roofing installs Malarkey shingles across Portland and Southwest Washington.
