You’re planning a roofing project, and now you’re standing in the home improvement store, staring at stacks of shingles. How many shingles are in a bundle? How much area does one bundle actually cover? Do you need three, four… or way more than you thought?
Get too few, and your project comes to a halt while you make another trip. Buy too many, and you’ve just spent extra money on materials you don’t need. Either way, it's frustrating.
The good news? Figuring out how many bundles you need is easier than you think. In this post, we’ll break it all down how many square feet a bundle of shingles covers, how to calculate exactly what you need, and some simple tips to avoid waste.
If you’ve ever walked into a home improvement store to buy shingles, you’ll notice they’re not sold one by one they come in bundles. A shingle bundle is simply a set of shingles packaged together to make handling and installation easier.
Think of it this way: Imagine trying to carry individual shingles up a ladder one at a time. Not exactly practical, right? Bundles make the whole process more manageable.
Now, here’s where it gets tricky. Not all bundles contain the same number of shingles. It depends on the brand, type, and thickness of the shingles. For example, a bundle of standard 3-tab shingles usually has around 26 shingles, while thicker architectural shingles have fewer because they take up more space.
Fun fact: The term "bundle" comes from how shingles were originally tied together in stacks to make transportation easier. Even though packaging has changed, the name stuck!
If you're measuring your roof, you might assume everything is calculated in square feet. But roofers and suppliers prefer a different unit: the roofing square. One roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof area.
Why? Because it simplifies the math. Instead of dealing with thousands of square feet, roofers break everything down into squares. If your roof is 2,000 square feet, that means you have 20 squares. It makes estimating materials much easier.
A good rule of thumb is that three bundles of standard shingles make up one roofing square (100 square feet). That applies to both 3-tab shingles and most architectural shingles.
But it’s not always that simple. Some premium shingles are thicker and heavier, meaning you might need four or even five bundles per square.
Let’s say you’re using a high-end designer shingle that’s thicker than standard options. Instead of needing three bundles per square, you’ll need four. That small difference might not seem like a big deal at first, but it adds up fast when you’re ordering materials for an entire roof.
If you’re not sure, check the packaging or use a shingle calculator to be safe. Getting the right amount upfront means fewer unexpected trips to the store.
So, how many square feet does one bundle of shingles cover? The answer depends on the type of shingle you choose:
Shingle coverage isn’t always exact because thickness, design, and brand specifications can change things. That’s why two different bundles might not cover the same amount of space, even if they look similar.
Let’s say you have a 1,500-square-foot roof and you’re using standard 3-tab shingles. Since one square is 100 square feet, you’ll need 15 squares of shingles. At three bundles per square, that’s 45 bundles total.
But if you choose a thicker, premium shingle that requires four bundles per square, suddenly you need 60 bundles instead of 45. That’s a big difference!
If you’re not confident in your numbers, a shingle calculator can help you figure out exactly how much to buy based on your roof’s size and slope.
Nobody wants to get halfway through a roofing project only to realize they don’t have enough shingles. At the same time, buying too many means spending money you didn’t need to. So, how do you figure out exactly how much to order?
It’s actually pretty simple.
Roofers use an easy formula to estimate how many bundles of shingles are needed:
Total Roof Area (sq. ft.)÷100×3=Bundles Needed
Why? Because one roofing square equals 100 square feet, and most shingles come in bundles of three per square.
Let’s say your roof is 2,000 square feet. Here’s how the math works:
2,000÷100×3=60 bundles
So, for a 2,000-square-foot roof, you’d need about 60 bundles of shingles.
| Roof Size (sq. ft.) | Number of Bundles Needed (Standard 3-Tab Shingles) |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | 30 |
| 1,500 | 45 |
| 2,000 | 60 |
| 2,500 | 75 |
| 3,000 | 90 |
Even the best roofing contractor will tell you no matter how carefully you measure, there’s always going to be some waste. Shingles need to be trimmed, fitted, and overlapped in certain areas to ensure your roof is watertight.
That’s why most roofing companies recommend ordering 10–15% extra to account for waste. If your roof has a simple design, 10% is usually enough. But if your roof has multiple peaks, valleys, and dormers, it’s safer to go with 15% or more.
For example, if your calculation says you need 60 bundles, adding 10% for waste means you should order 66 bundles instead.
It’s always better to have a few extra on hand than to run short mid-project.
Yes! The steeper your roof, the more shingles you’ll need. That’s because a steep roof has more surface area than it looks like from the ground.
Picture two houses one with a low-sloped roof and one with a steep A-frame. Even if they both have the same square footage, the steep roof actually has more surface area because of its slope.
Roofers also need to overlap shingles more on steep roofs to keep everything watertight, which increases the total needed.
To get an accurate estimate, multiply your total square footage by the right slope factor:
| Roof Pitch | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Flat to 3/12 | 1.00 |
| 4/12 to 5/12 | 1.05 |
| 6/12 to 7/12 | 1.12 |
| 8/12 to 9/12 | 1.20 |
| 10/12 to 12/12 | 1.30 |
For example, if your roof is 2,000 square feet with a 7/12 pitch, multiply:
2,000×1.12=2,240 square feet
Now, plug it into the bundle formula:
2,240÷100×3=67.2
That means you’ll need about 68 bundles instead of 60.
This is why hiring an experienced roofing company like IBEX Roof can save you time and money we make sure your estimate includes everything upfront, no surprises.
No matter how precise your measurements are, roofing isn’t as simple as just laying down shingles in a perfect rectangle.
You’ll need extra shingles for:
Let’s say your estimate calls for 60 bundles and you have a complex roof. Adding 15% for waste means you should order around 69 bundles instead.
It’s always better to have a little extra than to run out in the middle of the job.
If you're ordering shingles for a full roof replacement or a large project, it's good to know how many bundles fit on a pallet. This helps with planning, storage, and even delivery costs.
On average, a pallet holds 42 to 48 bundles, but this can vary depending on the manufacturer and the type of shingle. Some thicker architectural shingles take up more space, meaning you might get fewer per pallet. If you're buying in bulk, checking with your supplier or roofing contractor can help you get the right amount without ordering too much or too little.
Shingle prices aren’t just about the upfront cost per bundle. The type of shingle you choose, the weight, and even delivery fees all play a role.
If you're comparing prices, factor in these details so there aren’t any surprises when it’s time to check out.
Shingles aren’t the only thing you’ll need to complete a roofing job. Some materials often get overlooked but are essential for a durable, long-lasting roof.
A good roofing company will make sure you have everything you need so you’re not making last-minute trips to the store in the middle of installation.
If you’re tackling this project yourself, having a simple game plan makes all the difference. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
If math isn’t your thing, no worries a roofing calculator can do the hard work for you. Just enter your roof dimensions, slope, and shingle type, and you’ll get an estimate of how many bundles you need. It’s a quick and easy way to avoid ordering too much or too little.
Not sure if you’ve got the numbers right? A professional roofing contractor can give you an accurate estimate and make sure you’re ordering exactly what you need.
At IBEX Roof, we take the guesswork out of the process. Whether you’re planning a DIY project or need a full roof replacement, our team can help you figure out how many shingles to order, factor in waste, and ensure you don’t run into surprises along the way.
Need an estimate? Reach out to IBEX Roof today, and let’s get your project started!
