Ridge Cap Shingles Calculator
Enter your ridge and hip lengths to get an exact count of ridge cap shingles and bundles needed. Supports pre-made ridge cap, high-profile cap, and cutting from 3-tab shingles.
Ridge cap type comparison
| Type | Pieces/bundle | Exposure | Linear ft/bundle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-made ridge cap | 25 | 6" | 12.5 ft |
| High-profile ridge cap | 20 | 6" | 10 ft |
| Cut from 3-tab (3 pc/ea) | 36 | 6" | 18 ft |
How ridge cap coverage is calculated
Each ridge cap piece has a 6-inch exposure, meaning it covers 6 linear inches of ridge. Divide your total ridge and hip length in inches by 6 to get the piece count. Pre-made cap bundles contain 25 pieces, covering 12.5 linear feet per bundle.
Pre-made vs. cutting from 3-tab
Pre-made ridge cap is faster to install and gives a cleaner finished look. Cutting 3-tab shingles into thirds is a budget option — each shingle yields 3 cap pieces. High-profile cap gives a thicker, dimensional appearance and is often required with architectural shingles.
Don't forget hip lengths
Hip roofs require cap shingles on all four sloping corners, not just the top ridge. Measure each hip from eave to the peak and add all hip lengths together. A typical hip roof can have 3–4× more linear footage to cap than a simple gable roof.