How Many Bundles of Shingles for 1,600 sq ft?
1,600 sq ft of roof surface is 16 roofing squares. With 10% waste and standard 3-bundle-per-square shingles you need 53 bundles. If 1,600 sq ft is the house footprint rather than the roof, multiply by the pitch factor first: at a 6/12 pitch that becomes 60 bundles.
Bundles for 1,600 sq ft of roof by waste factor
| Waste | Squares | 3 bundles / square | 4 bundles / square |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% (simple gable) | 16.8 | 51 | 68 |
| 10% (typical) | 17.6 | 53 | 71 |
| 15% (hips & valleys) | 18.4 | 56 | 74 |
| 20% (complex, cut-up) | 19.2 | 58 | 77 |
If 1,600 sq ft is the house footprint
Shingles cover the sloped roof, not the floor plan. Multiply the footprint (including overhangs) by the pitch factor to get roof surface:
| Pitch | Roof surface | Squares (+10%) | Bundles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/12 | 1,649 sq ft | 18.1 | 55 |
| 4/12 | 1,687 sq ft | 18.6 | 56 |
| 5/12 | 1,733 sq ft | 19.1 | 58 |
| 6/12 | 1,789 sq ft | 19.7 | 60 |
| 7/12 | 1,852 sq ft | 20.4 | 62 |
| 8/12 | 1,923 sq ft | 21.2 | 64 |
| 9/12 | 2,000 sq ft | 22 | 66 |
| 10/12 | 2,083 sq ft | 22.9 | 69 |
| 12/12 | 2,263 sq ft | 24.9 | 75 |
3 bundles per square, 10% waste. Don't know your pitch? Measure it with the Pitch Gauge.
Shingle cost for 1,600 sq ft
| Shingle type | Material per square | Total for 1,600 sq ft (+10%) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab shingles | $80–$120 | $1,408–$2,112 |
| Architectural shingles | $100–$160 | $1,760–$2,816 |
| Premium shingles | $160–$250 | $2,816–$4,400 |
Shingles only. Underlayment, flashing, ridge cap, disposal and labour are extra.
Nails and underlayment
| Underlayment | Typical roll coverage | Rolls (+10% laps) |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic underlayment | 1,000 sq ft | 2 |
| #15 felt | 400 sq ft | 5 |
| #30 felt | 200 sq ft | 9 |
Nails: about 5,632 with a standard 4-nail pattern, or 8,448 with a 6-nail high-wind pattern. Check roll labels: coverage varies by brand.
Frequently asked questions
How many bundles of shingles do I need for 1,600 sq ft?
For 1,600 sq ft of roof surface you need 53 bundles of standard shingles (3 bundles per square) including 10% waste, or 56 bundles with 15% waste for a roof with hips and valleys. Heavier shingles packed 4 bundles per square need 71 bundles.
How many squares is 1,600 sq ft?
A roofing square is 100 sq ft, so 1,600 sq ft is 16 squares, or 17.6 squares once you add 10% for waste.
Is 1,600 sq ft the house size or the roof size?
Shingles are ordered by roof surface, which is larger than the house footprint because of the slope and overhangs. If 1,600 sq ft is your footprint, multiply it by your pitch factor: at 6/12 the roof is 1,789 sq ft and needs 60 bundles.
How much do shingles for 1,600 sq ft cost?
At typical material prices, shingles for 1,600 sq ft of roof (with 10% waste) cost about $1,408–$2,112 for 3-tab shingles, $1,760–$2,816 for architectural shingles, $2,816–$4,400 for premium shingles. That is materials only; installation usually costs more than the shingles.