HOW MANY SHINGLES ARE IN A BUNDLE? AND HOW MANY SQUARE FEET DOES IT COVER?

1. INTRODUCTION

When you're planning to repair or replace a roof, it’s important to understand how many shingles you’ll need. Roofing materials are sold in specific quantities, and shingles are packaged in something called a “bundle.” Companies like Keystone Roofing emphasize that knowing how many bundles to buy can help you plan your budget and avoid running out of materials during your project.

How many shingles are in a bundle, how much area a bundle covers, and how to figure out how many shingles and bundles you'll need for your roofing project are all covered in this article.

2. WHAT IS A BUNDLE OF SHINGLES?

A bundle is a package of shingles, and it's designed to be easy to carry by one person. The number of shingles in a bundle depends on the type and size of the shingle, but most bundles cover about 33 square feet of roof surface. This makes it simple to figure out how many bundles you need—just divide your total roof square footage by 33.

Here’s a quick look at how many shingles is usually in a bundle, based on shingle type:

Shingle TypeShingles per Bundle

Standard 29

Asphalt 3-Tab 26

Architectural 21

3. HOW MANY BUNDLES ARE IN A ROOFING SQUARE?

A measurement of 100 square feet is referred to as a "square" in roofing. Since one bundle of shingles covers around 33 square feet, you’ll need about three bundles to cover one roofing square.

To calculate how many squares your roof has, divide your roof’s total square footage by 100. For example, if your roof is 2,000 square feet, it equals 20 roofing squares (2,000 ÷ 100 = 20). To cover that area, you’ll need about 60 bundles of shingles (20 × 3 = 60).

4. WASTE FACTOR

There will be waste when installing shingles because you will need to trim and overlap some pieces. That’s why you should always order more shingles than your exact measurement. For most roofing projects, it's common to add 10% to 20% extra to account for this waste.

So, if your roof is 2,000 square feet and requires 60 bundles, you should order 66 to 72 bundles instead to make sure you have enough material for the entire job.

5. HOW MANY SHINGLES PER SQUARE FOOT

Shingles come in different sizes, so the number of individual shingles per square foot can vary. Instead of counting shingles, it's easier to think in terms of bundles. Since one bundle usually covers 33 square feet, you can divide the total square footage of your roof by 33 to get the number of bundles needed.

Here’s a breakdown for common roof sizes and the number of bundles needed:

Roof Square FootageBundles NeededApprox. Shingles Needed

2,000 60 900–1,740

2,500 75 1,125–2,175

3,000 90 1,350–2,610

3,500 106 1,590–3,074

4,000 121 1,815–3,509

6. ROOF SLOPE AFFECTS SHINGLE NEEDS

The number of shingles you'll need is also influenced by the pitch or angle of your roof. Compared to a level roof, a steeper roof has more surface area. So, even if the base of the roof is a certain size, the actual surface you need to cover will be larger if the roof is steep.

The number of inches that the roof rises for every 12 inches that it runs horizontally is known as the roof slope. This is called the rise-over-run ratio. You can use a multiplier to figure out how much extra area your sloped roof has:

Roof Pitch (Rise/Run) Multiplier

3/12 1.031

6/12 1.118

9/12 1.250

12/12 1.414

Multiply the base roof area by the multiplier to get the actual surface area. Then, use that number to calculate how many bundles of shingles you’ll need.

7. SHOULD YOU BUY EXTRA SHINGLES?

Yes, it’s a good idea to order a few extra bundles. Extra shingles are useful if:

• You made a mistake during installation

• You have a complex roof with many edges and corners

• You need to make repairs later

• You have a unique color or shingle type that might be discontinued in the future

To store extra shingles properly, keep them flat in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Sunlight and heat can cause shingles to dry out and become brittle over time.

8. HOW MUCH DOES A BUNDLE OF SHINGLES COST

The price of shingles depends on the material. Asphalt shingles are usually the most affordable, while materials like copper or slate are more expensive. Here’s a rough idea of what you might pay per bundle:

Shingle Type Cost per Bundle

Shingle Type	Cost per Bundle	Cost per Square (100 sq. ft.)	Lifespan	Notes
3-Tab Asphalt	$30 – $40	$90 – $120	15 – 25 years	Most economical; thinner and lighter
Architectural Asphalt (Dimensional)	$35 – $60	$100 – $180	25 – 35+ years	More durable and textured; better appearance and wind resistance
Premium Asphalt	$60 – $90	$180 – $270	30 – 50 years	Enhanced aesthetics, impact resistance
Wood Shingles	$100 – $150	$300 – $450	30 – 50 years	Natural appearance; higher maintenance
Metal Shingles	$300 – $600	$900 – $1,800	40 – 70+ years	Extremely durable; fire and wind resistant
Slate Shingles	$600 – $1,000+	$1,800 – $3,000+	75 – 100+ years	Very heavy and expensive, but unmatched longevity
Clay or Concrete Tile	$400 – $800	$1,200 – $2,400	50 – 100 years	Popular in warmer climates; needs strong roof framing
Composite (Synthetic)	$250 – $600	$750 – $1,800	30 – 50 years	Mimics slate or wood; lightweight and lower cost than real materials

Use this chart to estimate your total costs: multiply the number of bundles you need by the price per bundle.

9. SHOULD YOU INSTALL SHINGLES YOURSELF OR HIRE A PRO?

While it's possible to install shingles on your own, most people are better off hiring a professional roofer. Roofing can be risky, particularly on high or steep roofs. A professional will have the right tools, safety equipment, and experience to do the job correctly.

If shingles are installed the wrong way, it can lead to leaks and costly damage later. Professional roofers also usually offer warranties, giving you extra peace of mind.

If you do choose to install the shingles yourself, make sure you have the right gear: roofing nails, underlayment, a ladder, safety harness, gloves, and proper knowledge of how to layer shingles to prevent water damage.

10. CONCLUSION

Bundles of shingles, each covering approximately 33 square feet, are sold. To figure out how many bundles you need, divide your roof’s total square footage by 33, and don’t forget to add 10–20% for waste. Consider the slope of your roof and plan to buy extra bundles for repairs or unique layouts.

Whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a professional, having the right number of shingles is the first step to a successful roofing project.