How Many Bundles of Shingles Are in a Square?

Most asphalt shingles take three bundles per square. A square covers 100 sq ft, so each bundle covers about 33.3 sq ft. Some heavy designer shingles take 4 or 5.

Updated October 7, 2026

Squares and Bundles

Roofing is measured in squares: one square covers 100 sq ft of roof. According to GAF, most asphalt shingles are packaged three bundles to a square, so each bundle covers about 33.3 sq ft.

Not every shingle follows that rule. GAF gives its own examples: its Timberline HDZ shingles are 3 bundles per square, while its heavier Woodland designer shingles are 4. Some specialty shingles need 5. The wrapper says how many bundles make a square.

How Many Bundles for Your Roof

1. Roof area. Add up each roof plane’s length × width, or start from your house’s footprint with overhangs and multiply by the slope factor for your pitch.
2. Squares. Divide by 100.
3. Waste. GAF says contractors typically add 10–15%, more for steep roofs and roofs with rakes, valleys, and dormers.
4. Bundles. Multiply squares by bundles per square and round up.

Your Roof Is Bigger Than Your House

A house’s square footage is floor space. The roof covers that footprint plus the overhangs, and a sloped roof has more surface than the flat area below it. HomeGuide gives an example: a 2,000 sq ft home has about 2,235 sq ft of roof. The roofing calculator does the overhang and pitch math from your footprint.

What a Square Costs

HomeGuide puts shingles at about $80–$130 a square for 3-tab and $100–$250 for architectural, with labor around $150–$300 a square. See the roof cost calculator for a full estimate.