Roofing Square Calculator
Footprint in, roof area out. Squares, bundles and a waste allowance, so you can check a quote against something.
Roof pitchRoofing squaresRoof cost
2,236 sq ft of roof before waste
Shingles only. Underlayment, flashing and ridge cap sit on top of this.
Get it measured properlyThe arithmetic
Footprint times the slope factor gives true roof area. Divide by 100 for squares, then add waste for the offcuts. Three bundles of architectural shingles covers a square.
Do not know your pitch? Work it out on the pitch calculator first.
Where this stops being reliable
It assumes a fairly plain roof. Valleys, hips, dormers and skylights all add cuts, and cuts create waste no footprint calculation can see. On a complicated roof, take the 15% allowance and treat the answer as a floor rather than an order sheet.
It counts shingles and nothing else. A real materials order also has underlayment, starter strip, ridge cap, flashing, drip edge and fasteners in it.
Roofing square questions
What is a roofing square?
One roofing square is 100 square feet of roof surface. Contractors quote in squares, so a 2,200 square foot roof is 22 squares.
How many bundles make a square?
Three, for most architectural shingles. Heavier designer products can run four, so read the wrapper rather than assuming.
Why is the roof bigger than the house?
Because it leans. A pitched roof covers more surface than the footprint it sits on, and the steeper it gets the wider that gap.
How much waste should I allow?
Ten percent on a plain gable roof. Up to fifteen once valleys, hips and dormers are involved, because every cut leaves an offcut.
Get an exact measurement, free and on site
We get on the roof, photograph what is actually there, and hand you a written report with a price. No charge, and no obligation to book the work with us. If the roof has years left in it, that is what the report will say.
- Free inspection, no obligation to buy
- Personalized written estimate
- Financing and insurance claim support
- Residential and commercial properties
Give us a call or fill out our form today to schedule your free inspection!
Whether you need a roof replacement, roof repair, or annual inspection, we’ve got you covered.