Last updated: 2026-05-26 by Ted Sellers, Owner
How many shingles in a square? A square of 3-tab shingles holds 78 individual shingles, while architectural shingles run 64 per square. A roofing square covers 100 square feet, but the number of individual shingles in that square depends on what you’re installing:
- 3-tab shingles: 78 pieces per square
- Architectural (laminate) shingles: 64 pieces per square
- Designer/luxury shingles: 56 pieces per square
That’s the short answer. If you’re trying to verify a delivery, count out a partial bundle, or replace damaged pieces, those are the numbers.
The longer answer is more useful, because the count changes with exposure, and exposure changes how the shingles read on the roof. I’m Ted Sellers, owner of Sellers Roofing here in Arden Hills. I’ve torn off and reinstalled enough roofs in St. Paul and Minneapolis to know that the count on the wrapper isn’t always the count that ends up on the deck.
Where the shingle counts come from
The math is exposure × width.
A standard asphalt shingle is 39⅜” wide × 13¼” tall, but only the bottom 5⅝” is exposed once the next course laps over it. That 5⅝” exposure is the industry standard for both 3-tab and architectural shingles.
So:
- Exposure per piece: 39.375″ × 5.625″ = 221 sq in = 1.537 sq ft of coverage
- Pieces per square (100 sq ft): 100 ÷ 1.537 = 65 pieces
That’s the field math for an architectural. The actual count on a square ends up at 64 or 65 once you account for waste at hips, ridges, and starter cuts.
3-tab shingles get a higher piece count because they’re slightly different. Each 3-tab piece is the same outer dimension, but it visually reads as three separate tabs. Manufacturers ship them at 78 per square to match the original count when 3-tabs were physically smaller pieces. The piece count is a holdover from old packaging.
Breakdown by shingle type
3-tab shingles (CertainTeed XT 25, GAF Royal Sovereign, IKO Marathon):
- 78 pieces per square
- 26 pieces per bundle (3 bundles per square)
- About 60–65 lbs per bundle
Architectural / dimensional shingles (GAF Timberline HDZ, CertainTeed Landmark, Owens Corning Duration):
- 64–65 pieces per square
- 21 pieces per bundle (3 bundles per square)
- About 65–80 lbs per bundle
Designer / luxury shingles (GAF Grand Sequoia, CertainTeed Grand Manor, Owens Corning Berkshire):
- 56–58 pieces per square
- 14–15 pieces per bundle (4 bundles per square)
- About 75–90 lbs per bundle
The pattern: heavier shingles have fewer pieces because each piece is thicker and ships at higher bundle count to keep the per-bundle weight manageable.
How this matters when you’re ordering
You don’t actually order shingles by the piece. Supply yards quote in bundles or squares. The piece count matters for two scenarios:
Scenario 1: Repairs. If you’re replacing a 6-shingle wind tear-off in a single course, you don’t need a full bundle. Ask the yard for loose pieces, or buy one bundle and store the rest flat for the next repair.
Scenario 2: Spot replacement after hail. Insurance adjusters in Minnesota often pay for the exact number of damaged shingles plus a margin. Knowing 78/64/56 lets you cross-check the adjuster’s count.
I had a hail claim in Roseville last fall where the adjuster wrote up 8 squares of damage. The roof had GAF Timberline HDZ — 64 pieces per square — so the carrier was effectively paying for 512 damaged shingles. When the homeowner asked me to spot-check, I counted 487 actual hits on the south and west elevations. Close enough that I didn’t push back.
How many shingles for a typical Twin Cities home?
For a 2,000 sq ft roof (20 squares), here’s the piece count by product:
| Shingle type | Pieces needed | Bundles |
|---|---|---|
| 3-tab | 1,560 | 60 |
| Architectural | 1,280 | 60 |
| Designer | 1,120 | 80 |
The bundle counts are the same for 3-tab and architectural (60 bundles = 20 squares × 3) but you get more pieces in a 3-tab bundle because each piece is thinner.
The exposure trick that changes the math
This is where most online calculators get it wrong.
If your shingle manufacturer allows a 5⅝” exposure, you get 64–65 pieces per square. But some shingles — particularly older 3-tab products and a few European brands — call for 5″ exposure instead. That changes the math:
- 5″ exposure: 39.375″ × 5″ = 197 sq in = 1.37 sq ft per piece
- Pieces per square: 100 ÷ 1.37 = 73 pieces per square
Always verify the exposure spec on the shingle wrapper before you back-calculate piece counts. The standard is 5⅝”, but it’s not universal.
In Minnesota, we sometimes spec a tighter exposure (5″) on steep mansards and decorative gables for a more traditional shadow line. That costs about 12% more in shingles but reads better on Victorian-style homes in Summit Hill and Crocus Hill neighborhoods.
Pieces vs bundles vs squares — quick conversion
| Unit | What it is | Standard equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 shingle (piece) | One physical strip | 1.54 sq ft of coverage |
| 1 bundle | Packaging unit | 21–26 pieces, ~60–80 lbs |
| 1 square | 100 sq ft of roof | 3 bundles (or 4 for designer) |
| 1 pallet | Shipping unit | 14 squares / 42 bundles |
If you’re talking to a roofer, the conversation is in squares. If you’re at the supply yard, it’s in bundles. If you’re doing a hail spot-replacement, it’s in pieces. Knowing all three conversions is the difference between getting a clean estimate and getting upcharged on the back end.
Frequently asked questions
How many shingles are in a square of architectural shingles?
A square of architectural shingles contains 64 to 65 individual pieces, split across 3 bundles of 21–22 pieces each. This assumes a standard 5⅝” exposure on shingles measuring 39⅜” × 13¼”.
How many shingles are in a square of 3-tab shingles?
A square of 3-tab shingles contains 78 individual pieces, split across 3 bundles of 26 pieces each. 3-tab shingles ship at a higher piece count than architectural because the older packaging standard used smaller individual pieces.
How many shingles are in a bundle?
Architectural bundles contain 21–22 shingles. 3-tab bundles contain 26 shingles. Designer bundles contain 14–15 shingles. The piece count varies by product line because heavier shingles ship in smaller per-bundle quantities to keep weight manageable.
Are there more 3-tab or architectural shingles per square?
There are more 3-tab pieces per square (78) than architectural (64). The total coverage is the same (100 sq ft) because each architectural piece is heavier and covers slightly more visual area.
How do I count damaged shingles for an insurance claim?
Count by piece in the damaged area, then convert to squares for the claim. A damaged 10′ × 10′ area of architectural shingles equals 1 square and 64 pieces. Adjusters in Minnesota typically pay by square but verify the piece count.
Related Sellers Roofing guides: how a bundle of shingles cover | roof turbines | roofing felt | Twin Cities roofing services
Need a roof inspection in Saint Paul or the Twin Cities? Call Sellers Roofing Company at +1-651-703-2336 or schedule a free estimate. We are a black-owned, NMSDC-certified MBE roofing contractor with 18+ years experience.
