Roof Square Calculator: How Many Squares Is My Roof?

Every roofing quote and every shingle order is written in squares. One square equals 100 square feet of roof surface — so a 2,400 sq ft roof is 24 squares. The tricky part is that roof surface is always bigger than your home's footprint, because the roof is sloped.

The three-step roof square formula

1. Measure the footprint: house length × width, adding the eave overhang on each side (usually 1 ft)
2. Multiply by the pitch factor: 4/12 = 1.054, 6/12 = 1.118, 8/12 = 1.202, 10/12 = 1.302, 12/12 = 1.414
3. Divide by 100 to get squares, then add 10% waste for a simple gable or 15% for a hip or cut-up roof

Example: a 50 × 30 ft house with 1 ft overhangs is 52 × 32 = 1,664 sq ft of footprint. At a 6/12 pitch, 1,664 × 1.118 = 1,860 sq ft, or 18.6 squares. With 10% waste you'd order about 20.5 squares — 62 bundles of shingles.

Why your roofer's number may be higher

• Dormers, valleys and hips add surface and cutting waste
• Starter strips and ridge cap are ordered separately but sometimes folded into the square count
• Attached porches and garages are often missed in a footprint measurement

If your square count and the roofer's are within 10%, you're both right. If they're 25% apart, ask to see how they measured.

FAQs

How many squares is a 2,000 sq ft house?

For a single-story 2,000 sq ft home at a 6/12 pitch with overhangs, usually 24–26 squares before waste. A two-story home of the same living area has a smaller footprint and needs about half that.

How many bundles of shingles are in a square?

Three bundles for most architectural and 3-tab shingles. Some heavy designer shingles need four or five.

Don't know your roof pitch?

Measure the rise over 12 inches of run with a level and tape, or use our roof pitch calculator to convert rise and run into the multiplier.