How many shingles for a shed roof?
Measure roof area, convert to squares, then to bundles-don't forget waste and starter strips.
Shed roofs are usually simple, which makes shingle estimating easier than complex houses. The key is to estimate the roof surface area you will actually cover, not just the shed floor footprint. Overhangs add area, and roof pitch increases the sloped surface compared to the flat footprint.
Once you have roof surface area, convert to squares (100 sq ft) and then to bundles based on your shingle product. Finally, add waste and make sure you also have the accessories that do not follow the same math (starter strip, underlayment, drip edge, ridge cap if applicable).
Step-by-step: shed shingle estimate
- Measure roof length along the eave and the sloped rafter length (the distance from eave to ridge/high edge). If you only have footprint width and pitch, convert to sloped length using a pitch factor (project dependent).
- Compute roof area: length x sloped width for each roof plane. Many shed roofs are one plane, but if yours has multiple planes or a gable section, estimate each plane and add them.
- Convert area to squares: squares = (sq ft / 100). Keep planes separate if you want a tighter waste estimate on cut-heavy shapes.
- Convert squares to bundles using the actual product spec. Many asphalt shingles are about 3 bundles per square, but it varies by brand/type, and starter and ridge products have their own coverage rules.
- Add waste and round up. Around 10% is common for simple rectangles, but increase waste for lots of trim, many cut edges, or if you are learning the install. Rounding up is usually cheaper than stopping mid-job to buy one more bundle.
Practical tips
- Plan the full system: starter strips, underlayment, drip edge, nails, and flashing details. Missing one accessory can stop the job even if you have the right number of bundles.
- Pay attention to slope. Low-slope roofs may require special underlayment, specific shingle products, or a different roofing system. Always follow manufacturer requirements and local code (project dependent).
- Include overhangs and any attached roof sections. Small roofs are sensitive to small measurement errors, so double-check dimensions before ordering.
- Keep at least a little extra for repairs and for starter/ridge adjustments. Matching shingles later can be harder than storing one extra bundle (check return policy if you are unsure).
Quick checklist
Use this checklist to get a practical bundle count (and avoid the missing-accessory problem).
- Measure roof surface area, not just shed footprint. Include overhangs, and use a pitch factor if you only have horizontal dimensions (project dependent).
- Convert to squares: squares = (sq ft / 100). Keep each roof plane separate if you want a tighter waste estimate on cut-heavy shapes.
- Convert squares to bundles using the packaging/spec for your shingles (often 3 bundles per square, but not always). Starter strip and ridge cap (if used) have separate coverage numbers.
- Add waste and round up. Simple rectangles often use around 10%, but add more for lots of trim, multiple planes, penetrations, or first-time installs (project dependent).
Small roof (shed) notes
Shed roofs are simpler than house roofs, but waste still matters: edges, drip edge, starter, and ridge caps can be a larger share of the total on small projects.
If the roof is very small, rounding up to whole bundles and matching shingles later can be more important than optimizing exact square footage.
- Don’t forget underlayment and drip edge.
- Round up to whole bundles; keep extra for repairs.
- Confirm your pitch and ventilation details if applicable.
Small roof (shed) checklist
Small roofs are simple, but rounding and accessories are a bigger share of the total. Don’t estimate only shingles.
- Confirm roof pitch and surface area (footprint is not surface area).
- Order accessories: underlayment, drip edge, starter, ridge cap, and nails.
- Round up to whole bundles; keep extras for repairs (batch matching matters).
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