Shingle bundles for 1,200 sq ft of roof
These counts are for 1,200 sq ft of actual roof surface, measured on the slope. Most architectural and 3-tab shingles come three bundles to a square (100 sq ft); some heavier premium shingles take four. Suppliers sell whole bundles, so each count is rounded up.
| Waste allowance | Squares to order | Bundles (3 a square) | Bundles (4 a square) |
|---|---|---|---|
| None (exact) | 12.0 | 36 | 48 |
| 10% (simple gable) | 13.2 | 40 | 53 |
| 15% (hip, valleys) | 13.8 | 42 | 56 |
| 20% (complex roof) | 14.4 | 44 | 58 |
You will also need about 2 rolls of synthetic underlayment (1,000 sq ft rolls with 10% for laps), plus starter strip along the eaves and rakes and ridge cap along the ridges and hips.
If 1,200 sq ft is the house footprint
Many people know the floor area of the house, not the roof. A roof covers the footprint plus the overhang, and the slope makes it larger again. For a 40 × 30 ft house (1,200 sq ft) with a 1 ft overhang, the roof covers 1,344 sq ft in plan, and the table shows how the pitch adds to that. Bundles include 10% waste, at three a square.
| Roof pitch | Roof area (sq ft) | Squares | Bundles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4/12 | 1,417 | 14.2 | 47 |
| 6/12 | 1,503 | 15.0 | 50 |
| 8/12 | 1,615 | 16.2 | 54 |
| 10/12 | 1,749 | 17.5 | 58 |
| 12/12 | 1,901 | 19.0 | 63 |
The roofing calculator on this page is set to that 40 × 30 ft house at a 6/12 pitch, and the weight and nail figures below are for it too. Enter your own house size, overhang and pitch, or read how to calculate roofing squares step by step.
Weight, nails and edge metal
Architectural shingles weigh about 60 to 80 lb a bundle, so 50 bundles are roughly 3,500 lb (1.8 tons) to lift onto the roof, which is the hard part of the job. Spread bundles across the roof's rafters, never stacked in one spot.
At about 320 nails a square (four per shingle), a 15.0 square roof uses around 4,808 nails, which is a 25 lb box or a couple of coils for a nail gun. For a simple gable roof, drip edge runs about 80 ft along the eaves and 67 ft up the rakes, which is roughly 15 pieces of 10 ft.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Roofing Calculator: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many bundles of shingles do I need for 1,200 square feet?
1,200 square feet of roof is 12 squares. At three bundles a square that is 36 bundles exactly, so buy 40 bundles with 10% for waste on a simple gable roof, or 42 with 15% for a hip roof or one with valleys.
How many squares is 1,200 square feet of roof?
12 squares, because one roofing square is 100 square feet. With 10% waste you order 13.2 squares, which suppliers round to whole bundles: 40.
What if 1,200 sq ft is the size of my house, not the roof?
Then the roof is bigger, because it slopes and overhangs the walls. A 40 × 30 ft house (1,200 sq ft) with a 1 ft overhang and a 6/12 pitch has about 1,503 sq ft of roof, which is 15.0 squares and 50 bundles with 10% waste.
Related sizes and guides
Related sizes
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.