Shingle takeoff: footprint, pitch, squares, and bundles
This page models a single rectangular plan as one roof plane, scales it by a rise:12 secant factor (the same trigonometry most crews use for first-pass bundle counts), then applies your waste for cuts, starter, and hip waste. Gables, dormers, and hips need their own line items; this is a scope check, not a shop drawing.
Calculator inputs
All SEO copy above is server-rendered; this block updates the numbers below live.
Results (live)
- Plan footprint (ft²)
- —
- Adjusted roof area, slope only (ft²)
- —
- Roofing squares (incl. waste)
- —
- Shingle bundles (3 per sq, est.)
- —
- Estimated field shingle cost (from $/sq)
- —
Enter a positive plan length and width, 0–100% waste, and a pitch to see footprint, sloped area, squares, bundles, and optional $/square cost.
Formula and units
Plan footprint in ft² is length × width. Slope area (one plane) = footprint × √(1 + (rise/12)²) where the pitch is expressed as rise:12. After pitch, add waste: order area = slope area × (1 + waste% ÷ 100). One roofing square = 100 ft², so roofing squares = order area ÷ 100. The tool assumes 3 shingle bundles per square for typical three-tab and many architectural lines—check your SKU. Estimated cost = roofing squares × $/square when you add a price. Manufacturer tables, high-wind zones, and cap/hip rules sit outside this single-plane box.
Example calculation
A 30 ft by 40 ft (1,200 ft²) plan at 6:12 is about 1,341 ft² of slope area before waste. With 10% waste, the order field is about 1,475 ft², or 14.75 squares. At 3 bundles per square, that is a little over 44 bundles of field shingles before starter, ridge, and hip caps. If a square of material is $120 all-in, the field shell is in the $1,770 band before underlay and accessories—always reconcile to your elevation takeoff.
Cost explanation
The $/square you type should be apples-to-apples with the quote: some yards bundle delivery, some separate tear-off, and architectural lines change bundle coverage. Nothing here books dumpster, walkboard, or ice barrier by code; those ride on your sub’s proposal.
Common mistakes
Measuring the yard instead of the eave box
If you are sizing off foundation width only, you may miss eave overhang and gable rakes. Field tape the roof edge or work from a digitized model when the check matters.
Forgetting the second face on a gable
This widget is one combined rectangle. A full home needs two (or more) faces summed before you set job totals.
Trusting 3 bundles per square for every shingle
Designer and premium lines often change coverages; use the line item on the bundle when you are one bundle short in the last course.