A roofing square is a unit of measurement equal to 100 square feet of roof area. One roofing square covers a 10-foot by 10-foot section. Article date:. Roofers use squares to estimate material quantities, labor and project costs.
Roofing Squares at a Glance
| Roofing Measurement | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 roofing square | 100 square feet |
| 3 roofing squares | 300 square feet |
| 10 roofing squares | 1,000 square feet |
| 25 roofing squares | 2,500 square feet |
A roofing square measures area. It does not refer to a square-shaped section of the roof.
How Do You Calculate Roofing Squares?
Divide the roof's total surface area in square feet by 100:
Roof area in square feet ÷ 100 = number of roofing squares
Examples:
- A 1,500-square-foot roof requires approximately 15 squares.
- A 2,400-square-foot roof requires approximately 24 squares.
- A 3,000-square-foot roof requires approximately 30 squares.
Use the roof's actual surface area for the calculation. The home's floor area or foundation footprint will not give you the correct number.
A roof with several slopes, valleys, dormers or overhangs requires measurements for each section. Add those measurements together, then divide the total by 100.
Why Do Roofers Use Squares?
Roofing contractors use squares because many roofing materials and labor estimates are based on coverage area. The measurement can help estimate:
- Asphalt shingles
- Metal roofing
- Underlayment
- Ice and water protection
- Roof coatings
- Labor
- Removal and disposal
The number of squares on an estimate may describe the measured roof area, the material quantity or both. Check the estimate to see which figure the contractor used.
Does One Square Equal a Certain Number of Shingle Bundles?
No. The number of bundles depends on the shingle product.
Many standard asphalt shingles require approximately three bundles per square. Specialty shingles may require four or five bundles per square. Check the coverage information on the package or the product specification sheet before ordering.
Does a Roofing Estimate Include Waste?
It may. A roofing estimate can include extra material for cutting, overlapping, damaged pieces and installation around roof features.
The amount depends on the roof's design and the roofing material. A roof with multiple slopes, valleys or dormers may need more extra material than a simple roof.
When comparing estimates, ask whether the quoted number of squares includes:
- The measured roof area only
- Extra material for waste
- Ridges, valleys, starter shingles and other accessories
This distinction can explain why two estimates use different numbers of squares for the same project.
What Does "20 Squares of Roofing" Mean?
"Twenty squares of roofing" means approximately 2,000 square feet of roof coverage before additional material allowances.
The phrase is an industry measurement, not a count of 20 roof sections. The final material order may be higher after accounting for waste, roof features and product packaging.
Bottom Line
When comparing roofing estimates, check the measured roof area, the number of squares used for materials and the waste allowance. Product specifications determine the number of shingle bundles, while the roof's design affects the extra material required.