Hip Roof Shingle Calculator

The number depends on roof length, width, pitch, and waste factor. A typical 1,200 sq ft hip roof footprint at 6/12 pitch requires approximately 46–50 bundles of shingles (including 15% waste and 3–4 hip cap bundles). Enter your dimensions into the calculator above for exact results tailored to your hip roof.

15% is standard for hip roofs. Hip roofs require higher waste than gable roofs (10%) because cutting shingles along 4 diagonal hip seams produces triangular offcuts that cannot be reused. Complex hip roofs with dormers or valleys may need 20%.

Measure the total linear footage of all hip ridges plus the main ridge. One bundle of ridge cap shingles covers approximately 35 linear feet. Divide total footage by 35 and round up. A 40×30 ft hip roof at 6/12 pitch has ~100 ft of total ridge/hip footage, requiring 3 bundles of cap shingles.

Yes, hip roofs cost 10–20% more to shingle than gable roofs. The extra cost comes from three factors: higher waste percentage (15% vs 10%), additional hip ridge cap bundles (3–4 vs 1–2), and more labor-intensive installation along the 4 diagonal hip seams. The tradeoff is superior wind resistance.

A standard hip roof on a rectangular building has 4 hip ridges plus 1 main ridge. The 4 hip ridges run diagonally from each corner to the main ridge. On a square building, the 4 hip ridges meet at a single peak with no main ridge — this is called a pyramid hip roof.

Yes, 3-tab shingles work on hip roofs. However, architectural shingles are preferred because they are thicker, more wind-resistant (up to 130 mph rated), and produce cleaner hip cap finishes. 3-tab shingles can be cut into thirds for use as hip ridge caps.

Measure the building's footprint length and width at ground level. Use a tape measure along the exterior walls. Determine the roof pitch using a pitch gauge or a free smartphone app — hold the phone along the roof edge line visible from the ground. Enter these three values into the calculator and it computes everything automatically.

Both are the same product — pre-bent shingle pieces installed over roof peaks. A ridge cap covers the horizontal main ridge at the top. A hip cap covers the diagonal hip seams running from the ridge down to the eaves. The same bundle of ridge cap shingles (covering ~35 linear ft) is used for both applications.