Metal Roof Panel Calculator
Enter the eave length, the run of a plane, the pitch, the panel cover width and the stock length and get the metal roof panels by column and cut length for a gable or shed roof, with ridge cap and trim pieces, each rounded up once. A hip roof is not counted, because its columns differ in length.
Estimates for planning, not professional advice. Read the full notice.
Example: a gable roof in metal panels
28 metal roof panels
- Columns on each plane 14 columns
- Cut length of one panel 16 ft 11 1/4 in
- Ridge cap pieces 5 ridge cap pieces
Estimate for planning, from what you entered and the product data shown. Check product labels and your supplier before you buy.
Your project
Enter a size to see your total.
Each product is rounded up once for the whole project, so the total can be less than the items bought alone added together. A line counted from a cut layout (sheets, boards or tiles laid out piece by piece) is counted for each item and added.
Shopping list
| Item | Size | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Metal roof panels | metal roof panels | 28 |
| Ridge cap | ridge cap pieces | 5 |
| Eave trim | eave trim pieces | 9 |
| Rake trim | rake trim pieces | 7 |
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Worked example: a gable roof in metal panels
Show the working
- Columns: the eave length plus the rake overhang at both ends, over the cover width, rounded up 40 ft 2 in ÷ 3 ft = 14 columns
- Cut length: the run times the pitch multiplier, plus the eave overhang 15 ft × 1.118 + 2 in = 16 ft 11 1/4 in
- Panels: the columns on each plane, cut from stock, times the planes 14 columns × 2 planes = 28 metal roof panels
Assumptions
The figures behind the example. Sourced figures link to their source below; a default is a starting value to check against your label or supplier.
| Assumption | Value | Details and changes |
|---|
Feet and inches, like 12' 6"
Cut length by run and pitch
The cut length of one panel, by the horizontal run of the plane and the roof pitch, for the example eave overhang
| Run of the plane | At 3/12 | At 4/12 | At 6/12 | At 8/12 | At 12/12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 10 ft 5 11/16 in | 10 ft 8 1/2 in | 11 ft 4 3/16 in | 12 ft 2 1/4 in | 14 ft 3 11/16 in |
| 12 ft | 12 ft 6 7/16 in | 12 ft 9 13/16 in | 13 ft 7 in | 14 ft 7 1/16 in | 17 ft 1 5/8 in |
| 15 ft | 15 ft 7 9/16 in | 15 ft 11 3/4 in | 16 ft 11 1/4 in | 18 ft 2 5/16 in | 21 ft 4 9/16 in |
| 18 ft | 18 ft 8 5/8 in | 19 ft 1 11/16 in | 20 ft 3 1/2 in | 21 ft 9 5/8 in | 25 ft 7 1/2 in |
| 20 ft | 20 ft 9 3/8 in | 21 ft 3 in | 22 ft 6 5/16 in | 24 ft 2 7/16 in | 28 ft 5 7/16 in |
Each cell is the run times the pitch multiplier plus the eave overhang along the slope. The columns of a plane depend on the eave length and the cover width, not on the run.
Questions
How many metal roof panels do I need?
The calculator counts columns across each plane from the eave length and the cover width, finds the cut length of a panel from the run and the pitch, and cuts each column from stock. It counts by column and length, never by area, because a panel runs the full length of the slope.
How long is a metal roof panel?
The run times the pitch multiplier, plus the eave overhang measured along the slope. The table gives the cut length for a range of runs and pitches.