Key takeaways
- One roofing square covers 100 square feet of roof surface.
- Divide your roof area by 100 to get squares.
- Most asphalt shingles come in 3 bundles per square, but check the wrapper.
A roofing square is 100 square feet of roof surface, the same as a 10 × 10 foot area. Roofers use it to order materials and price work, so it's worth understanding before you compare quotes.
How to convert to squares
Squares = roof area in square feet ÷ 100
A 2,400-square-foot roof is 24 squares. Add a waste allowance when you order: GAF suggests 10–15%.
Squares and bundles chart
This assumes 3 bundles per square, with no waste added.
| Roof area | Squares | Bundles |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 10 | 30 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 15 | 45 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 20 | 60 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 25 | 75 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 30 | 90 |
GAF says most standard asphalt shingles come in three bundles per square, while some specialty shingles can take up to five. Its Woodland line, for example, uses four. Always check the package for its coverage.
Don't confuse squares with your home's square footage
A roof square measures the sloped surface, not your floor area. To find it:
- Find the pitch.
- Use the roof area calculator with your outside dimensions.
- Turn the result into bundles.
Using squares to compare quotes
Quotes may use different square counts for the same roof, depending on how each contractor measured it and whether waste is included. Ask each one:
- How many squares did you measure?
- Does that include waste, and how much?
- Does the price per square include labor, tear-off and disposal?
The answers tell you whether you're comparing the same job.
Worked example: comparing two quotes
Say two roofers quote the same per-square price, one on 20 squares and one on 24. The second quote is 20% higher, but there are several possible reasons:
- One includes waste, and the other doesn't.
- One measured a garage or porch that the other left out.
- One made a measuring mistake.
Ask both for the measured squares and the waste percentage separately. Then compare with your own figure from the roof area calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a roofing square?
100 square feet.
How many bundles are in a square?
Most standard asphalt shingles use 3 bundles per square, but it varies by product, so check the wrapper.
How many squares is an average house?
There's no reliable single answer, because roof size depends on the footprint, pitch and shape. Work out your own with the roof area calculator.
Sources
We use primary sources where we can: building codes, federal rules and manufacturer documents. Read our editorial standards.