Highlights
There are between 15 and 29 shingles in a bundle.
A bundle typically covers 33 square feet regardless of shingle type.
You can determine the number of bundles you need by dividing the total square footage by 33.
Be aware that bundles may not cover exactly 33 square feet.
If you’re repairing or replacing a roof, it’s important to know how many shingles you’ll need to get the job done.
Different shingles have different measurements. Typically shingles come in three bundles to a square. But what does that mean? This handy guide discusses how many shingles are in a bundle, how many shingles you need depending on the type of shingle you're using, and the number of shingles you'll need per square foot.
How Many Shingles Are in a Bundle?
There are anywhere between 15 and 29 shingles in a bundle. Typically, a bundle covers 33 square feet. Bundles usually weigh the same regardless of the number of shingles because they're designed to be carried by one person.
Here are a few examples of bundles depending on the size of shingle you need:
Standard size shingles (12 inches by 36 inches): 29 shingles per bundle
Asphalt 3-tab roof shingles: 26 shingles per bundle
Architectural shingles: 21 shingles per bundle
Once you've determined the square footage you need to cover, you can figure out the number of bundles you need by dividing the total square footage by 33.
Example: if you have 2,000 square feet of roof to cover, that means you'd need about 60 bundles (2,000 divided by 33 is about 60).
How Many Shingles Are Needed by Type?
A bundle typically covers 33 square feet regardless of type of shingles you have.
So even though, say, you get fewer architectural shingles in a bundle than a standard shingle, those architectural shingles cover a larger area, so the square footage is about the same.
How Many Shingles Do I Need Per Square Foot?
You will need anywhere from one to two shingles per square foot, depending on the type and size of shingle you choose. As stated, a bundle will cover about 33 square feet of roof regardless of type, so the question is not how many shingles you need (because they come in different sizes) but how many shingle bundles you need. Just take the overall square footage and divide by 33 to get that answer.
