How Many Ridge Cap Bundles Do You Need?

Enter the total length of your ridges and hips to see how many bundles of ridge cap shingles to buy. The estimate includes waste and rounds up to full bundles.

Last updated: September 4, 2026

Current estimate

70 ft · 20 ft/bundle · 10% waste

4bundles

Example roof sizes

The fields start with a sample roof. Replace these values with your measured lengths.

RidgeHipAdd every ridge + hip line

Measure the horizontal ridge and each sloped outside hip along the roof surface, then enter the totals below.

Measure the horizontal peak where two roof slopes meet. Add multiple ridge lines together; enter 0 if your roof has none.

Measure each sloped outside corner from the eave up to the ridge. Add every hip once; use 0 for a gable roof with ridge only.

Ridge Cap Order Summary

4
bundles to buy
77 ft with waste · 80 ft purchased coverage
Measured ridge + hip70 ft
Order length (with waste)77 ft
Waste allowance+7 ft
Full-bundle rounding+3 ft

Using 20 ft/bundle and 10% waste. Check your package label before ordering.

What this estimate covers

This estimate covers ridge and hip caps only. Plan field shingles, starter strips, ridge vent, and fasteners separately.

Worked Examples

Gable ridge only

70 ft ridge · 0 ft hips · 20 ft/bundle · 10% waste

Measured length70 ft
Order length77 ft
Bundles to buy4

The four full bundles provide 80 ft of coverage, leaving a small rounding cushion.

Hip roof takeoff

60 ft ridge + 30 ft hips · 20 ft/bundle · 10% waste

Measured length90 ft
Order length99 ft
Bundles to buy5

Add every sloped hip to the ridge total before applying waste. Count each roof line once where it meets the ridge.

Using package coverage

90 ft total · 33 ft/bundle · 10% waste

Order length99 ft
Bundles to buy3
Purchased coverage99 ft

Use the coverage printed on your package when it differs from the conservative 20 ft default.

How to Measure Ridge and Hip Lines

Ridge lines

Measure every horizontal line where two roof slopes meet. If your roof has more than one ridge, add them together before entering the value.

Hip lines

Measure each hip along the sloped roof surface, not straight across the floor plan. Count each hip once where it meets the ridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Add the measured length of every ridge and hip. Add your waste allowance, divide by the product's coverage per bundle, and round up to a whole bundle.
Yes. Ridge caps cover both horizontal ridges and sloped hips. Enter the two totals separately, and the calculator will add them together for your order.
Coverage depends on the cap product and its exposure. This page starts with a conservative 20 linear feet per bundle; replace it with the coverage printed on your package whenever you have it.
Start with 10% for a planning estimate. The actual overlap is set by the cap product's exposure and installation instructions, so check the package before ordering. Add more waste for short hips, intersections, or difficult cuts.
Turn on Include material cost and enter the current price per bundle. The estimate multiplies the bundles to buy by that price. Sales tax and delivery are not included.
The length math stays the same, but a ridge-vent system can change which cap product is compatible and how it laps. Follow the vent and cap manufacturer's instructions before ordering.
Some three-tab shingles can be cut into caps, but their exposure and coverage differ from manufactured hip-and-ridge products. Use the actual package coverage rather than assuming the default.

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