How many nails for a square of shingles?
Quick Answer
One roofing square (100 sq ft, 3 bundles) of standard 3-tab shingles requires approximately 320 nails — 4 nails per shingle, with 26 shingles per bundle and 3 bundles per square. For architectural (dimensional) shingles, use 4–6 nails per shingle, totaling 250–400 nails per square depending on wind zone.
Quick Reference Table
| Shingle type | Nails per roofing square |
|---|---|
| 3-Tab (standard wind zone) | 320 nails (4 per shingle) |
| 3-Tab (high wind zone) | 384 nails (6 per shingle) |
| Architectural (standard) | 252–336 nails |
| Architectural (high wind) | 336–420 nails |
How to Calculate It Yourself
- 1
Count shingles per square: 3 bundles × 26 shingles = 78 shingles per square (3-tab).
- 2
Multiply by nails per shingle: 78 × 4 = 312 nails (standard) or 78 × 6 = 468 (high wind).
- 3
For architectural shingles: ~63 shingles per square × 4–6 nails = 252–378 nails.
- 4
Add 10% for starter strip nails and ridge cap nails.
Pro Tip
Use 1-1/4" roofing nails for new decking; 1-3/4" or 2" nails when re-roofing over existing shingles. Nails must penetrate at least 3/4" into the roof deck to meet code.
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