How to Measure Your Roof (and What a Roofing Square Is)
Contractors price roofs by the square, which equals 100 square feet. A 2,000 sq ft roof is 20 squares.
Quick estimate from your home size
Your roof area is larger than your home footprint because of slope and overhangs. A rough rule: multiply your home footprint by a pitch factor. Low slope is about 1.1, an average slope is about 1.2 to 1.3, and a steep roof is 1.4 or more. So a 1,500 sq ft single-story home with an average roof is roughly 1,800 to 2,000 sq ft of roof.
More accurate method
Measure the length and width of each roof plane from the ground or from satellite imagery, multiply for each plane, then add them together and add 10% for waste and overhangs. For a precise number, a contractor will measure on site or use aerial measurement software.
Once you have your area, drop it into our roof cost calculator to get an installed price range for your material and location.
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Not sure of your roof area? A rough rule: roof area is usually 1.1 to 1.5 times your home footprint. A 1,500 sq ft single-story home often has a 1,700 to 2,200 sq ft roof.
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