Roofing Nails/Screws Count Calculator

Plan precise fastening using patterns, spacings, and roof geometry with smart presets. Switch between shingles and metal, including high‑wind and perimeter rules when needed. Add waste allowances, ridge or hip lines, and export tidy reports instantly. Advanced options stay flexible without overwhelming you ever.

sq ft
Projected plan area, not sloped surface.
/12
Slope factor = √(1+(rise/12)²) auto-applied.
%
/100 sq ft
Set by preset; override if your brand differs.
nails
Use 6 for many high‑wind specifications.
ft
Ridge cap or hip lines needing extra fastening.
/ft
Typical ≈2 fasteners/ft with 12" caps.
ft
Eaves + rakes if adding starter/edge fasteners.
/ft
Optional edge allowance.
per box
ft
Horizontal length along eaves.
ft
Vertical length along slope.
in
Nominal net coverage per panel.
rows
Includes both edge rows. Minimum 2 recommended.
in
Commonly 6–12 in at edges for wind zones.
in
Commonly 24 in; use your spec.
ft
/ft
ft
/ft
%
per box
Results
Enter values and click Calculate to see results.
Example Data Table

Typical presets and quick references. Adjust to your specification.

Mode Preset Key Inputs Notes
Shingles 3‑tab 80 shingles/square, 4 nails/shingle Use 6 nails for high‑wind regions.
Shingles Architectural 66 shingles/square, 6 nails/shingle Brand coverage varies; override as needed.
Metal Edge 12", Field 24" Rows: 5, Panel cover: 36" Increase edge rows in severe wind zones.
Metal Tight perimeter Edge 6", Field 18–24" Heavier fastening near corners.
Formula Used

Slope factor: SF = √(1 + (rise/12)²). Surface area: Asurf = Aplan × SF.

Shingles core fasteners: squares = Asurf/100, shingles = squares × shingles_per_square, nails = shingles × nails_per_shingle.

Extras: ridge/hip = ridge_len × ridge_rate; perimeter = perimeter_len × perimeter_rate.

Total (shingles): ceil( (nails + extras) × (1 + waste%/100) ).

Metal panels fasteners per panel: length(in) = run_len × 12; screws_per_edge_row = ceil(length/edge_spacing) + 1; screws_per_field_row = ceil(length/field_spacing) + 1; per‑panel = 2×edge + max(0, rows−2)×field.

Panels count: ceil( (eave_len×12) / panel_cover_width ). Total (metal): ceil( (per‑panel × panels + extras) × (1 + waste%/100) ).

Patterns vary by code, manufacturer, wind zone, and substrate. Always verify with local requirements.

How to Use
  1. Select the appropriate mode for your roof system.
  2. Enter geometry, slope, and pattern or preset values.
  3. Add ridge/hip and perimeter allowances if applicable.
  4. Set waste percentage and fasteners per box for packaging.
  5. Click Calculate to see totals, per‑square rates, and boxes.
  6. Export the results as CSV or a PDF summary.
FAQs

Yes. The surface area grows with slope. The calculator multiplies plan area by the slope factor before computing counts.

Presets are generic. Always follow manufacturer instructions and local building codes for your project and wind zone.

Use the perimeter inputs. Enter the combined length and a per‑foot rate appropriate to your system.

Valleys and flashings vary widely. If needed, add their length to the perimeter allowance with an appropriate rate.

Yes—convert inputs before entry or adapt field labels. The math is unit‑agnostic when units are consistent.

Total fasteners are divided by your “fasteners per box” and rounded up to whole boxes.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.