How Many Roofing Nails per Square?

About 320 nails per square for 3-tab shingles with four nails each, and roughly 260 for architectural shingles. High-wind patterns use 50% more.

Roofing nail calculator

Nails per square chart

Roofing nails per square (field shingles only)
Shingle	Shingles per square	4-nail pattern	6-nail pattern
3-tab (12 × 36 in, 5 in exposure)	≈78–80	≈320	≈480
Architectural (13¼ × 39⅜ in, 5⅝ in exposure)	≈64–66	≈260	≈390

Shingles per square = 14,400 sq in ÷ (shingle length × exposure) 3-tab: 14,400 ÷ (36 × 5) = 80 Arch: 14,400 ÷ (39.375 × 5.625) ≈ 65 Nails = squares × shingles per square × nails per shingle + starter (4 per 3 ft piece) + cap (2 per piece)

Worked example

25 squares of architectural shingles, 4 nails each. 25 × 65 × 4 = 6,500 field nails. Starter: 180 ft ÷ 3 × 4 = 240. Ridge cap at 5 in exposure: 60 ft = 144 pieces × 2 = 288. Total ≈ 7,028 nails, or about 59 coils of 120. Order a 7,200-count box (60 coils is a common box size).

When to use six nails

Most shingles are installed with four nails. Manufacturers call for six in high-wind zones, for their top wind warranties, and on very steep or mansard slopes. Some local codes require six nails in hurricane-prone areas. The nail line printed on the shingle shows where they go.

Choosing the right length matters as much as the count: see roofing nail size and the guide to roofing nails and fasteners.

Frequently asked questions

How many nails are in a square of shingles?

With 4 nails per shingle, about 320 for 3-tab and about 260 for architectural shingles. With 6 nails, about 480 and 390.

How many roofing nails per bundle?

About 105 for a 3-tab bundle (26 shingles × 4) and about 85 to 90 for an architectural bundle with 4 nails per shingle.

How many nails are in a coil?

Roofing coil nails are commonly sold 120 to a coil, often 7,200 nails (60 coils) to a box. Check the box, since counts vary by brand.

How many nails do I need for 30 squares?

Roughly 7,800 for architectural shingles or 9,600 for 3-tab with 4 nails per shingle, plus starter and ridge cap.

Last reviewed 2026-10-10. Results are estimates for planning; confirm quantities with your supplier and requirements with your local building code and the manufacturer's instructions.