How the estimate works
We take your total ridge + hip length, add about 5% for overlap and for the caps used to start and finish each run, then divide by the coverage of one bundle — roughly 20 linear feet for pre-cut hip-and-ridge cap. Coverage varies by product, so the calculator lets you set anywhere from 20 to 33 ft per bundle.
How many feet of ridge cap per bundle?
A bundle of pre-cut hip-and-ridge cap covers 20 to 33 linear feet, depending on the product. GAF TimberTex covers 20 feet per bundle, GAF Seal-A-Ridge 25 feet, CertainTeed Shadow Ridge 30 feet, and Owens Corning ProEdge 33 feet. Manufacturer coverage for the common pre-cut lines:
| Hip-and-ridge product | Coverage per bundle |
|---|---|
| GAF TimberTex · 2-layer, 8" exposure | 20 lin ft |
| GAF Seal-A-Ridge · 45 pieces | 25 lin ft |
| CertainTeed Shadow Ridge · 72 caps | 30 lin ft |
| Owens Corning ProEdge | 33 lin ft |
Coverage can differ by color line and region even within a product, so the number printed on the wrapper wins. Pick the matching coverage in the calculator above and it recounts your bundles. Cutting your own caps from 3-tab shingles is different arithmetic — a 3-tab bundle yields roughly 20 to 22 feet of cap at a 5-inch exposure, but see below for why pre-cut is usually the better buy.
Ridge cap bundles by roof size
Cap coverage depends on your roof's style, not just its footprint — a hip roof has four hips to cap on top of the ridge, so it needs far more than a simple gable of the same size. Rough guides at 20 ft of coverage per bundle, with the 5% overlap allowance already added:
| Roof style | With overlap · bundles |
|---|---|
| Simple gable · ~40 ft ridge | ≈42 ft · 3 bundles |
| Large gable · ~60 ft ridge | ≈63 ft · 4 bundles |
| Hip roof · ~130 ft ridge + hips | ≈137 ft · 7 bundles |
| Complex / multi-gable · ~180 ft | ≈189 ft · 10 bundles |
What ridge cap costs
Pre-cut hip-and-ridge cap runs about $40–$70 a bundle, and installing it is priced by the linear foot when quoted on its own. Typical 2026 figures:
| Ridge cap cost | 2026 range |
|---|---|
| Material · per bundle (20–25 lin ft) | $40–$70 |
| Material · per linear foot | $2–$3.50 |
| Installed · per linear foot | $4–$8 |
| Simple gable · ~40 ft, installed | $160–$320 |
| Hip roof · ~130 ft, installed | $520–$1,040 |
On a full re-roof the cap is folded into the overall bid rather than itemized — the standalone rates above are what a repair or cap-only job costs. Multiply your bundle count from the calculator by the local bundle price for a material budget.
Why pre-cut cap
Hip-and-ridge cap takes more abuse than field shingles — it's the most exposed part of the roof. Pre-cut cap is thicker and pre-bent, so it seals better and lays faster than hand-cutting caps from 3-tab. It usually costs a little more per bundle but is worth it at the ridge.
Doing the edges too? Size the drip edge, or get shingle bundles for the field from the squares calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much ridge cap do I need?
Add up the length of all ridges and all hips, add about 5% for overlap, and divide by your bundle's coverage (about 20 linear feet for pre-cut hip-and-ridge cap). Enter the total length above for the bundle count.
How many linear feet does a bundle of ridge cap cover?
About 20–33 linear feet, depending on the product: GAF TimberTex covers 20 ft per bundle, GAF Seal-A-Ridge 25 ft, CertainTeed Shadow Ridge 30 ft, and Owens Corning ProEdge 33 ft. Set the calculator to your product's coverage — and always confirm on the wrapper.
How many feet of ridge cap per bundle of 3-tab shingles?
Roughly 20–22 linear feet. A 3-tab bundle gives 26 shingles, each cut into 3 caps, so about 78 caps — at a 5-inch exposure that covers a little over 30 feet on paper, but waste from the cuts and the doubled caps at the start and end of each run bring it back to about 20–22 feet in practice. Pre-cut hip-and-ridge is the same ballpark per bundle and much faster to lay.
Can I use regular 3-tab shingles for the ridge?
You can cut 3-tab shingles into caps, but pre-formed hip-and-ridge cap is thicker, seals better against wind-driven rain, and installs much faster. Most roofers use the dedicated product. Note that architectural (laminated) shingles cannot be cut into caps at all — they are too thick to bend over the ridge without cracking, which is why a laminated roof always needs the dedicated cap product.
What's the difference between a ridge and a hip?
A ridge is the horizontal line where two roof planes meet at the top; a hip is the sloped line where two planes meet at an outside corner. Both get capped, so measure and add them all together.
How much does hip and ridge cap cost?
Pre-cut hip-and-ridge cap runs about $40–$70 a bundle (covering roughly 20–25 linear feet), so a simple gable roof at 3–4 bundles is around $120–$280 in cap material. A hip or complex roof needs more bundles and costs proportionally more. Multiply the bundle count above by your local price per bundle.
How many bundles of ridge cap for a 2,000 sq ft roof?
It depends on the roof style, not the area. A simple gable roof of about 2,000 sq ft has roughly 50–60 feet of ridge — 3 to 4 bundles. A hip roof the same size can carry 120+ feet of ridges and hips, closer to 6–7 bundles. Measure your total ridge + hip length and enter it above for an exact count.
How many pieces of ridge cap come in a bundle?
It varies by product: GAF Seal-A-Ridge packs 45 pieces covering 25 linear feet, and CertainTeed Shadow Ridge packs 24 three-piece units (72 caps) covering 30 feet. The piece count matters less than the linear-foot coverage printed on the wrapper — that's the number to plan with.
Sources & methodology
- Roofing cost per square / per square foot data — HomeGuide
- National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) — roofing standards & material service life
- Roofing material & cost guides — This Old House
- A licensed, insured roofing contractor in your area — the authoritative source for a measured quote and scope
Estimates compiled from the sources above and standard cost models — not professional, insurance, or legal advice, and may not reflect your policy or local prices. See our full methodology and disclaimer.