🇺🇸🇨🇦 Roofing Squares 🇬🇧🇦🇺 Square Metres 📐 Pitch Factor

Roof Calculator

Calculate your roof area accounting for pitch. Shows roofing squares (US/Canada) and square metres (UK/AU). Includes waste factor for shingles, tiles, or metal roofing.

Quick Answer
Roof area = Footprint × Pitch Factor. Pitch factor for 6/12 = 1.118. Roofing squares = ft² ÷ 100.
💡 Common US pitches: 4/12 (low), 6/12 (medium), 9/12 (steep)
Country Area Unit Pitch Convention Common Material
🇺🇸 United States Roofing squares (100 ft²)x/12 (e.g., 6/12)Asphalt shingles
🇨🇦 Canada Squares or m²x/12 or degreesAsphalt shingles
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Square metres (m²)Degrees (e.g., 35°)Clay or concrete tiles
🇦🇺 Australia Square metres (m²)Degrees or % pitchMetal/Colorbond, tiles
🇩🇪 Germany Square metres (m²)Degrees (Dachneigung)Clay tiles

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a roofing square?

A roofing square is 100 square feet (9.29 m²). It's used only in the US and Canada. Asphalt shingles are sold in bundles — 3 bundles typically cover one square (though some heavyweight shingles require 4 bundles per square). In the UK, Australia, and the rest of the world, all roofing materials are quoted per m².

How much does roof pitch affect material cost?

A 6/12 pitch adds 11.8% more area than the footprint. A 9/12 pitch adds 25%. A 12/12 (45°) pitch adds 41.4%. Higher pitches also add labour cost because they're harder to work on safely. UK and Australian roofs are commonly steeper (35–45°) for rain runoff; US suburban homes commonly use 4/12–6/12 pitches for easier construction.