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Home and Garden
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Roofs
Building Roofs
How to Estimate Roofing Materials Download Article Co-authored by David Bitan
Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Approved
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Estimating Shingles
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Estimating Felt Underlayment (Tar Paper)
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Estimating Other Materials
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This article was co-authored by David Bitan. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 16 testimonials and 82% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 786,267 times.
Knowing how to estimate roofing materials is important. Not only will it help eliminate waste, but it will also ensure that you buy just enough for the roofing job. You’ll have to calculate your roof area, or the overall size of your roof, to determine the amount of materials you’ll need. This wikiHow will show you how to estimate roofing materials for your next project.
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Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Estimating Shingles
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1 Find the square footage of the roof. Measure the length and width of each portion of the roof, multiply length by width for each plane, and then add the planes together for the total square footage.[1]XResearch source
If you have a simple gable roof, you’ll only need to measure and sum up the 2 planes of the roof. If your roof has dormers, hips, or other complex elements, don’t forget to take the area of those additional parts of the roof into account.
Because of these slopes and pitches, the square footage of your roof will not be the same as the square footage of your home.[2]X Expert Source David BitanRoofing Contractor & Maintenance ProfessionalExpert Interview
Websites like Eagleview use satellite imagery to help you safely measure your roof.[3]X Expert Source David BitanRoofing Contractor & Maintenance ProfessionalExpert Interview
2 Determine the total number of squares. Divide the total footage by 100 to determine the number of “squares” in the roof. Advertisement
3 Determine the bundles of shingles needed to cover the roof. It takes 3 bundles to cover a square if you use 3-tab shingles, the most common type.[4]XResearch source
4 Account for waste. Add 10% to the shingle estimate to account for waste.
If your roof has hips and valleys, make it 15% because of waste in cutting shingles to fit the valleys.
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Estimating Felt Underlayment (Tar Paper)
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1 Find the square footage of the roof. Measure the length and width of each portion of the roof, multiply length by width for each plane, and add the planes together for the total square footage.
If you’re just replacing some old shingles, you may not need to purchase underlayment. However, this is a must if you’re installing a new roof.
2 Find the number of squares. Roofers measure surfaces in squares of 100 square feet (9.29 square meters). Divide the total footage by 100 to find the number of squares in the roof.
3 Determine the number of rolls of underlayment needed. The #15 type is most commonly used, and one roll of #15 underlayment covers 4 squares.
If you’re using #15 underlayment and your roof slope is greater than 4:12, use 1 layer. If the slope is between 3:12 and 4:12, double the amount and put down 2 layers.
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Estimating Other Materials
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1 Measure for drip edge. This metal strip, which goes beneath the underlayment, protects the edge of the roof from rot. You'll need the measurements of the rakes and eaves of the roof (side edges and bottom edge). Use a rake edge for the side of the house as well.
2 Estimate how many roofing nails you'll need. At 4 nails per field shingle, that’s about 320 nails per square. You will also need 5 nails for each starter shingle.
For high-wind areas, use 6 nails per shingle, or 480 nails per square.
Inquire at the hardware store regarding the size of nail you’ll need and how many pounds or kilograms you’ll need of that size; the number of nails per pound or kg differs. The nails should be long enough to go 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) into the roof.
Inquire at the hardware store regarding the amount of underlayment nails required. Always use 1 in (2.5 cm) nails. The nails should be 12 inches (30 cm) apart along the edges and 24 inches (61 cm) apart in the middle of the underlayment strip.
3 Gauge the amount of hip and ridge cap shingles. While you can order special hip and ridge cap shingles, you can make your own by cutting a 3-tab shingle into 3 pieces. A bundle of 3-tab shingles will cover 35 feet (11 m).
4 Take other miscellaneous costs into account. Depending on the type of roof and your supplier, you may have some other costs to consider. Some of your other costs may include:
Venting. A venting system plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the roof during hot and cold weather.[5]X Expert Source David BitanRoofing Contractor & Maintenance ProfessionalExpert Interview *Flashing. Aluminum or steel material that is used to cover roof joints and prevent water from getting in.[6]XResearch source
Ice/water shield. An ice shield is only necessary if you live in an area that is prone to ice and snow in the winter.
Boots. These are required to go around any pipes sticking through the roof.
Delivery charge for your materials (if there is one).
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Question What is the purpose of roof vents? David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional Expert Answer Roof vents allow for air flow so your roof doesn't get too hot or too cold. In extreme temperatures, a roof vent helps protect the integrity of your roof. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question Is the square footage of a house the same as the roof? David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional Expert Answer No, your roof will be more square footage than your house because a roof has slopes and pitches. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0
Question How do I calculate how much drip edge I need for a gable roof? Mark Spelman Construction Professional Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987. Mark Spelman Construction Professional Expert Answer The drip edge metal is only used at the bottom edge of roofs - near the gutters. Measure the length and add 10% to find how much drip edge you will need. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 35 Helpful 27
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Unless you have prior experience, it's safest to have a professional roofer go out and measure your roof. [7]X Expert Source David BitanRoofing Contractor & Maintenance ProfessionalExpert InterviewThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
The angle, or pitch, of your roof can also affect the type, amount, and cost of the materials you’ll need. For example, you may need to pay double the cost in asphalt shingles if your roof has a 12/12 pitch (a rise of 12 inches (30 cm) per 1 foot (0.30 m)) as opposed to a 4/12 pitch.[8]XResearch source Calculate your roof pitch to determine how steeply your roof slopes. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Co-authored by: David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional This article was co-authored by David Bitan. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. This article has been viewed 786,267 times. 35 votes - 82% Co-authors: 32Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 786,267 Categories: Building RoofsArticle SummaryX
To estimate roofing materials, start by finding the total square footage of the roof and divide the number by 100 to determine the number of "squares" in the roof. Since it takes 3 bundles of shingles to cover a square, plan to purchase 3 bundles for each square. Then, add 10% to the number to account for waste. Using the number of squares that you previously counted, plan for 1 roll of under-paper to cover 4 squares. For tips on estimating other materials, like nails and ridge shingles, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Richard Anderson
Oct 31, 2019
"You helped me out with all my questions from how to measure my roof to figuring out the cost of materials, and in simple terms. If someone has a project and needs help, this is the best place I have found."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional Co-authors: 32Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 786,26782% of readers found this article helpful. 35 votes - 82% Click a star to add your vote
Richard Anderson
Oct 31, 2019
"You helped me out with all my questions from how to measure my roof to figuring out the cost of materials, and in simple terms. If someone has a project and needs help, this is the best place I have found."..." more
Donna Bachman
May 28, 2017
"Have a rental and we're do-it-yourselfers. Hubby's an engineer and can figure on his own, but I need to know how to figure approximate cost to get the ball rolling and get him going!"..." more
Christina Martinez
Mar 28, 2016
"All of this article was helpful. Especially how to find the amount of shingles needed. Also that the thickness of the decking would determine the number of layers of tarpaper needed."..." more
Connie Hainline
Jun 30, 2017
"It has really helped. I am re-roofing my shed that measures 10.5x12.5. This has helped me to figure exactly what materials will be needed. Thank you!"..." more Rated this article:
Chance McDonnell
May 17, 2016
"I thought this was perfect. After all the searching I've done, I've found the perfect info. Thanks a lot." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Co-authored by: David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional This article was co-authored by David Bitan. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. This article has been viewed 786,267 times. 35 votes - 82% Co-authors: 32 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 786,267 Categories: Building Roofs Article SummaryX
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1 Find the square footage of the roof. Measure the length and width of each portion of the roof, multiply length by width for each plane, and then add the planes together for the total square footage.[1] 
2 Determine the total number of squares. Divide the total footage by 100 to determine the number of “squares” in the roof. Advertisement 
3 Determine the bundles of shingles needed to cover the roof. It takes 3 bundles to cover a square if you use 3-tab shingles, the most common type.[4] 
4 Account for waste. Add 10% to the shingle estimate to account for waste. 
1 Find the square footage of the roof. Measure the length and width of each portion of the roof, multiply length by width for each plane, and add the planes together for the total square footage. 
2 Find the number of squares. Roofers measure surfaces in squares of 100 square feet (9.29 square meters). Divide the total footage by 100 to find the number of squares in the roof. 
3 Determine the number of rolls of underlayment needed. The #15 type is most commonly used, and one roll of #15 underlayment covers 4 squares. 
1 Measure for drip edge. This metal strip, which goes beneath the underlayment, protects the edge of the roof from rot. You'll need the measurements of the rakes and eaves of the roof (side edges and bottom edge). Use a rake edge for the side of the house as well. 
2 Estimate how many roofing nails you'll need. At 4 nails per field shingle, that’s about 320 nails per square. You will also need 5 nails for each starter shingle. 
3 Gauge the amount of hip and ridge cap shingles. While you can order special hip and ridge cap shingles, you can make your own by cutting a 3-tab shingle into 3 pieces. A bundle of 3-tab shingles will cover 35 feet (11 m). 
4 Take other miscellaneous costs into account. Depending on the type of roof and your supplier, you may have some other costs to consider. Some of your other costs may include: 
David Bitan Roofing Contractor & Maintenance Professional David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches. 
Mark Spelman Construction Professional Mark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987. 
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