How Many Square Feet in a Package of Roofing Shingles?

Whether you're tackling a DIY roofing project or just trying to budget for a contractor, one of the first questions that comes up is: how many square feet does a package of roofing shingles cover? It sounds simple, but there's some roofing lingo and math involved that can trip up even a handy homeowner. Let's break it all down.

The Basics: Bundles and Squares

In the roofing world, shingles are sold in bundles, and coverage is measured in squares. A roofing square is simply 100 square feet of roof area. So when a roofer says "your roof is 20 squares," they mean it covers 2,000 square feet.

Most standard three-tab asphalt shingles require 3 bundles to cover one square (100 sq ft). That means each bundle covers approximately 33.3 square feet.

Quick Formula:

1 bundle = ~33.3 sq ft 3 bundles = 1 square = 100 sq ft

Why 3 Bundles per Square?

Standard three-tab shingles are typically 12 inches tall by 36 inches wide. Each shingle covers about 1 square foot of exposed surface after overlapping. A bundle usually contains around 26 to 33 shingles, depending on the manufacturer and shingle weight.

Here's how the math works out for a common bundle:

• Shingle size: 12" × 36" = 432 sq in = 3 sq ft per shingle
• Exposed area per shingle (after overlap): ~1 sq ft
• Shingles per bundle: ~33
• Coverage per bundle: 33 × 1 sq ft = ~33 sq ft

Multiply by 3 bundles: 33 × 3 = 99–100 sq ft ✓

Architectural (Dimensional) Shingles

Architectural or laminate shingles are thicker and heavier than three-tab shingles. Because of their extra weight and size, they are often sold in 4 or 5 bundles per square rather than 3.

• 4 bundles per square: Each bundle covers ~25 sq ft
• 5 bundles per square: Each bundle covers ~20 sq ft

Always check the packaging label — manufacturers clearly state how many bundles make up one square.

Real-World Calculation Example

Let's say your roof measures 1,500 square feet and you're using standard three-tab shingles.

Step 1: Convert sq ft to squares

1,500 ÷ 100 = 15 squares

Step 2: Calculate bundles needed

15 squares × 3 bundles = 45 bundles

Step 3: Add 10–15% for waste, cuts, and overlaps

45 × 1.10 = ~50 bundles

So for a 1,500 sq ft roof, you'd purchase approximately 50 bundles of three-tab shingles. For architectural shingles at 4 bundles per square, that number jumps to around 66 bundles.

Tips Before You Buy

Always add a waste factor. Roof valleys, hips, ridges, and cut edges all create waste material. A standard 10% overage is fine for simple gable roofs; go up to 15% for complex designs with lots of angles and cuts.

Check the label. Bundle coverage varies slightly between brands. Some premium shingles may cover only 28–29 sq ft per bundle. Never assume — read the packaging.

Buy in bulk when possible. Shingles from the same production run are color-matched. Buying all your bundles at once prevents shade mismatches if the product changes between manufacturing batches.

The Bottom Line

A standard bundle of three-tab roofing shingles covers approximately 33.3 square feet, and you'll need 3 bundles per 100 square feet of roof. For heavier architectural shingles, plan for 4 to 5 bundles per square. Always calculate your roof area carefully, add a waste buffer, and double-check the bundle coverage printed on the packaging. With the right math upfront, your roofing project will go smoother — and you won't be making unnecessary trips back to the hardware store.