Roofing Calculator

A roofing square equals 100 square feet of roof surface. To find your square count, measure the total footprint of your home, multiply by the pitch factor for your slope, then divide by 100. Contractors use squares because every roofing material is priced and packaged around that unit, making it the universal language for estimating, quoting, and ordering shingles or tile.

Standard 3-tab asphalt shingles require 3 bundles per square. Architectural (dimensional) shingles are heavier and typically need 3 to 4 bundles per square depending on the brand. Metal shingles or slate substitutes may differ. Always check the shingle manufacturer spec sheet and add your waste factor before placing an order to avoid running short mid-project.

Yes. Add 10% for simple gable roofs with one or two planes. For hip roofs, roofs with multiple valleys, dormers, or skylights, add 15 to 20%. Complex or steeply pitched roofs can warrant 20% or more. Waste factors account for cuts around penetrations and edges. Most pros round up to the nearest full bundle and keep one extra on hand for future repairs.

Asphalt shingles run roughly $350 to $550 per square installed, including labor and tear-off. Architectural shingles sit at the higher end of that range. Metal roofing costs $600 to $1,200 per square depending on panel style. Clay or concrete tile ranges from $800 to $1,800 per square. Labor typically accounts for 40 to 60 percent of the total, with materials making up the rest. Regional labor markets shift these numbers significantly.