Roofing Material Calculator
Calculate shingles, underlayment, starter strip, ridge cap, nails, and drip edge for any roof size and pitch.
Estimated Material Cost
$4,115
2,381 sqft actual area · 27.4 squares (w/ 15% waste)
| Flat Area | 1,000 sqft |
| Pitch Multiplier (6/12) | ×1.118 |
| Actual Roof Area | 2,381 sqft |
| Roofing Squares | 23.8 |
| Squares w/ 15% Waste | 27.4 |
| Bundles (3 per square) | 83 |
| Underlayment Rolls (400 sqft ea) | 6 |
| Starter Strip (33.3 lf ea) | 4 pcs |
| Ridge Cap Bundles | 2 |
| Roofing Nails | 55 lbs |
| Drip Edge (10 ft ea) | 13 pcs |
| Cost Breakdown | Amount |
|---|---|
| Architectural Shingles (27.4 sq × $120) | $3,286 |
| Underlayment (6 rolls × $65) | $390 |
| Starter Strip (4 pcs × $25) | $100 |
| Ridge Cap (2 bdl × $35) | $70 |
| Nails (55 lbs × $3) | $165 |
| Drip Edge (13 pcs × $8) | $104 |
| Total Material Cost | $4,115 |
Mike Callahan:On a hip roof, add 20% waste instead of 15% — you’re cutting every piece at the hip and valley. And order your ice and water shield separately — 2 courses (6 feet) at every eave in cold climates. That’s not in the underlayment count.
Flat area = length × width. Actual area = flat area × pitch multiplier × number of sides, plus overhang perimeter. Squares = actual area ÷ 100. Bundles = squares × 3 (shingles only). Underlayment at 400 sqft/roll, starter strip at 33.3 lf/pc, ridge cap at 33.3 lf/bundle, nails at 2 lbs/square, drip edge at 10 ft/pc. Costs use national average material pricing — get local quotes for final bids.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bundles of shingles per square?
Three bundles of standard 3-tab or architectural shingles make one roofing square (100 sqft of roof coverage). Some heavy architectural shingles come 4 bundles per square — check the wrapper. Metal and slate are sold by the square, not in bundles, so you order the square count directly from the supplier.
What is a roofing square?
A roofing square is the industry unit for 100 square feet of roof area. A 2,000 sqft roof is 20 squares. All roofing materials — shingles, underlayment, and labor — are priced per square so you can compare costs across different materials on equal terms.
How much waste should I add for a hip roof?
Plan for 15–20% waste on hip roofs compared to 10–15% on gable roofs. Hip roofs have more cuts at every hip line, and each cut creates a piece too small to reuse. Complex roofs with dormers, valleys, or multiple hips may need 20–25%. Metal standing seam typically uses 10% waste since panels are custom-cut to length with fewer offcuts.
Do I need ice and water shield?
In cold climates (IECC zones 5+), building code requires ice and water shield along the first 24 inches past the interior wall line at every eave — typically 2 courses (6 feet up from the edge). It’s also required in valleys and around penetrations (vents, chimneys, skylights). In milder climates, it’s not code-required but still good practice in valleys. Ice and water shield costs $50–80 per roll (75 sqft) and is separate from the felt or synthetic underlayment in this calculator.