How Many Nails Per Shingle? Placement and Sizes
How many nails per shingle? Most asphalt shingles are installed with 4 nails per shingle. Many manufacturers call for 6 nails per shingle in high-wind areas, on very steep slopes, or to qualify for enhanced wind warranties. The nails must go in the manufacturer’s marked nailing zone and penetrate the deck properly. Using too few nails, or nailing in the wrong spot, is a leading cause of shingle blow-offs.
Asphalt tonnage calculator →Nails per shingle by situation
| Situation | Typical nails per shingle |
|---|---|
| Standard installation | 4 |
| High-wind zone or enhanced warranty | 6 |
| Steep slopes, such as mansards | 6 plus hand sealing |
| Starter strip | Per manufacturer, often 4 or more |
| Hip and ridge caps | 2 per cap piece |
Always follow the instructions printed on the bundle.
Where nails go
- In the nailing strip or zone, often marked with a line or painted band on laminated shingles.
- Through both layers of laminated shingles where the zone specifies.
- About 1 inch in from each end and evenly spaced across.
- Below the sealant strip, not into or above it.
High nails may miss the shingle beneath, reducing wind resistance. Low nails may be exposed to the weather.
Nail specifications
| Item | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Type | Galvanized steel, stainless, or copper roofing nails |
| Shank | About 11 to 12 gauge |
| Head | At least about 3/8 inch diameter |
| Length | Long enough to penetrate about 3/4 inch into wood decking or through the deck |
| Common size | 1-1/4 inch for new roofs, longer for overlays or thick shingles |
Proper driving
- Drive nails flush with the shingle surface.
- Avoid overdriving, which cuts the mat.
- Avoid underdriving, which leaves heads that tear through shingles above.
- Keep nails straight, not angled.
Set nail gun pressure carefully, and check it during the day as temperature changes.
Nails per square
At 4 nails per shingle and roughly 80 shingle strips per square for many products, plan around 320 nails per square, or about 480 at 6 nails. That is often around 2 to 3 pounds of 1-1/4 inch nails per square. See how many bundles of shingles are in a square.
Cleanup
Dropped roofing nails end up in tires and driveways. Use a magnetic sweeper daily. See roofing nails left on the driveway.
Bottom line
Use 4 nails per asphalt shingle for standard installs and 6 for high-wind areas, steep slopes, or enhanced warranties. Place them in the marked nailing zone, use proper galvanized roofing nails long enough to penetrate the deck, and drive them flush.
Questions people ask
How many nails go in a shingle?
Usually 4, or 6 in high-wind areas or steep slopes.
Where do you nail architectural shingles?
In the manufacturer’s marked nailing zone, through both layers where specified.
What size nails for shingles?
Commonly 1-1/4 inch galvanized roofing nails for new roofs.
How many nails per square of shingles?
About 320 at 4 nails per shingle.
What happens if shingles are nailed too high?
They may blow off because nails miss the shingle below.
Related guides
- How Many Bundles of Shingles Are in a Square?
- Roofing Nails Left on the Driveway
- Minimum Roof Pitch for Asphalt Shingles
- Black Asphalt Shingles: Heat, Looks, Lifespan and Cool-Roof Alternatives
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