Roofing Shingle Calculator
A square of 3-tab shingles (100 square feet) weighs about 250 pounds per layer and architectural shingles about 350, and most asphalt shingles come 3 bundles to a square. Enter your roof size, layers and shingle type below for the total weight and the construction dumpster that covers it.
Roofing Shingle Calculator
Enter your roof details to find the right dumpster for your shingle tear-off.
How the Shingle Calculator Works
Roofing shingles are one of the heaviest materials homeowners dispose of in dumpsters. A standard 3-tab shingle weighs roughly 2.5 lbs per square foot, while heavier architectural shingles come in around 3.5 lbs per square foot. Slate and heavy composite materials can weigh 7 lbs per square foot or more.
Our calculator multiplies your roof area by the weight per square foot and the number of layers being removed. The result is your total estimated shingle weight, which we then match against dumpster weight limits to recommend the best container size.
Because shingles are so dense, you will often hit the weight limit before filling the dumpster to the top. That is why a larger container is sometimes the smarter choice: it gives you room to stay within the weight allowance. If you are unsure, our team can help you pick the right size.
How much does a square of shingles weigh?
Planning weights per square (100 sq ft) for one layer of tear-off, the same figures the calculator uses.
| Shingle type | Weight per square | 10 squares | Bundles per square |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt | about 250 lbs | about 1.25 tons | 3 |
| Architectural (dimensional) asphalt | about 350 lbs | about 1.75 tons | 3 to 4 |
| Slate or heavy composite | about 700 lbs | about 3.50 tons | Not sold in bundles |
How many squares fit each dumpster's included weight?
One layer, before any overage. Squares are rounded down.
| Dumpster | Included | 3-tab squares | Architectural squares |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 1 ton | 8 | 5 |
| 15 yard | 1.5 tons | 12 | 8 |
| 20 yard | 2 tons | 16 | 11 |
| 30 yard | 3 tons | 24 | 17 |
| 40 yard | 4 tons | 32 | 22 |
Worked example: a 2,000 sq ft roof is 20 squares. One layer of architectural shingles is about 7,000 lbs (3.5 tons), so a 40 yard covers it inside its 4 included tons, or a 30 yard covers 3 tons with about half a ton billed per ton after pickup.
Sources and method: weights are planning estimates for asphalt and slate tear-off (shingles plus nails), not manufacturer specs; bundle counts follow the coverage most manufacturers print on the wrapper. Included tons are Ultimate Dumpsters' standard allowances. Disposal rules: the U.S. EPA notes asphalt shingles can be recycled in many areas (EPA, C&D materials).
Shingle Weight and Dumpster Questions
Most asphalt shingles come 3 bundles to a square, which covers 100 square feet of roof. Heavier architectural and designer lines can take 4 or more bundles per square, so check the coverage printed on the bundle wrapper.
Answered by Joe Woods, Commercial & National Accounts Specialist
Plan on about 250 pounds per square for 3-tab asphalt and about 350 pounds for architectural shingles, per layer of tear-off. Slate and heavy composite run around 700 pounds per square.
Answered by Joe Woods, Commercial & National Accounts Specialist
Roofing goes in a regular construction dumpster, sized by weight. Each size includes a set tonnage (1 ton on a 10 yard up to 4 tons on a 40); anything over is weighed at the landfill and billed per ton after pickup. Tell us your squares and layers and we do the tonnage math.
Answered by Michael V., Head of Operations
No. Heavy-material boxes are for concrete, brick, dirt and similar fill. Shingles always go in a construction box with its included tons.
Answered by Michael V., Head of Operations
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