How Many Nails in a Coil of Roofing Nails

Coil roofing nails come in several standard counts depending on nail length, gauge, and the manufacturer. This article explains common coil sizes, how to calculate how many coils are needed for a job, and the factors that affect coil count so contractors and homeowners can estimate materials accurately.

Coil Type	Common Nail Lengths	Typical Nails Per Coil	Typical Use
Standard 15° Roofing Coil	1″ To 1-3/4″	225 Or 250 Nails	Asphalt Shingles
Plastic-Collated Coil	1″ To 1-3/4″	250 To 300 Nails	Weather-Resistant Fastening
Wire-Collated Coil	1-1/4″ To 2″	275 Nails	Decking, Siding, Some Roofing
Specialty/Heavy-Duty Coil	2″+	200 To 225 Nails	Metal Roofing, Thick Decking

What A Coil Of Roofing Nails Means

A coil is a continuous strip of nails joined by plastic, paper, or wire to feed into a pneumatic coil roofing nailer. The coil design allows rapid firing and fewer reloads than stick collated nails. Coil capacity is set by length, shank gauge, head type, and manufacturer collation method.

Common Coil Counts And Why They Vary

Coil counts are not universal; 225, 250, 275, and 300 are the most common counts for roofing nails. Variation depends on nail diameter and length—longer or thicker nails take more space, reducing nails per coil.

Manufacturers also differ in collation thickness and pitch, so a 1-1/4″ roofing nail coil may be 225 from one brand and 250 from another even though the nails are the same length.

Standard Nail Lengths, Gauges, And Typical Coil Counts

Roofing nails typically range from 1″ to 2″ in length with gauges from 11 to 12.5 for common asphalt-shingle nails. Shorter, thinner nails pack more per coil; longer, thicker nails pack fewer.

• 1″ To 1-1/4″ Nails: Often supplied in 250 or 275-count coils for asphalt shingles.
• 1-3/8″ To 1-1/2″ Nails: Frequently come in 225 to 250-count coils for higher-hold applications.
• 1-3/4″ And Above: Often 200–225 nails per coil in heavy-duty or metal roofing coils.

How To Calculate Nails Needed For A Roofing Job

Estimating nails requires knowing the roofing system’s nailing pattern (commonly four nails per shingle or six in high-wind zones) and the number of shingles or squares. One roofing square (100 sq ft) often requires roughly 3 to 4 dozen shingles and 320 to 480 nails depending on wind rating.

Simple Calculation Example:

1. Determine shingles per square (manufacturer spec).
2. Multiply shingles per square by nails per shingle.
3. Divide total nails by nails per coil to get coils needed.

For example, if a square requires 400 nails and coils contain 250 nails each, 400 ÷ 250 = 1.6 coils, so two coils per square should be purchased to cover waste and operator errors.

Factors That Affect How Many Nails Are In A Coil

Collation Type: Plastic and paper collation are common for roofing nails; plastic often allows denser packing, increasing nail count per coil.

Nail Diameter And Length: Thicker or longer nails take more space and reduce coil count. Shank types (smooth vs. ring) also influence packing density.

Manufacturer Standards: Each brand sets its own coil pitch and collation spacing. Always check the product specification, not just the box label.

Buying Tips And Best Practices

Buy coils based on the job’s nailing pattern and local building code. Always verify nails-per-coil on packaging or product data sheets rather than assuming a standard count.

Buy extra coils to allow for waste, misfires, and weather-related delays; a common practice is to add a 10–15% overage. Keep matching lots for finish and corrosion resistance when replacing or topping off supplies.

Using Coils Safely And Efficiently

Store coils in a dry place to prevent rust and collation breakdown. Use the correct pneumatic nailer angle (commonly 15°, 28°, or 30–34° depending on coil type) to avoid jams and misfires. Match the coil’s collation angle to the tool’s spec for best performance.

Inspect nails before use; bent or corroded nails cause jams and reduce holding power. Consider ring-shank or spiral-shank coils for improved pullout resistance in high-wind areas.

Common Questions Contractors And Homeowners Ask

Are all roofing coils interchangeable between nailers? No. Collation angle and collation type must match the nailer. Using wrong coils can damage the tool or cause unsafe operation.

How many coils per pallet or box? That varies by manufacturer; pallets are sold by weight or count. A pallet can contain dozens to hundreds of coils depending on coil count and nail size.

Do coil counts affect price significantly? Generally, price per nail tends to decrease with larger packs, but variations in plating, shank type, and material grade can have a larger cost impact.

Quick Reference: How Many Coils For A Typical Roof

Roof Size	Assumed Nails Per Square	Coil Count (250 Nails/Coil)
10 Squares (1000 sq ft)	400 nails/sq	16 Coils (4000 nails ÷ 250)
20 Squares (2000 sq ft)	400 nails/sq	32 Coils
30 Squares (3000 sq ft)	480 nails/sq (high wind)	58 Coils (14,400 ÷ 250)

Where To Find Accurate Coil Counts And Specs

Always consult manufacturer product pages, technical data sheets, and the nailer owner’s manual. Retailer listings often state nails-per-coil, but the most reliable source is the product spec sheet or the manufacturer’s label.

For code-specific nailing patterns (e.g., high-wind areas), check local building codes or shingle manufacturer installation guides to determine nails-per-shingle requirements.

Additional Considerations For Estimating Material Needs

Account for starter strips, ridge cap, hip lines, and waste from flashings when estimating nails. Complex roofs with steep pitches, valleys, or many penetrations will require more nails per square due to additional pieces and more fastening points.

When in doubt, purchase an extra box or two of coils and return unopened boxes if unused. Keeping consistent lot numbers reduces variation in finish and corrosion resistance on visible areas.

Resources And Specification Links

Consult shingle manufacturers (e.g., GAF, CertainTeed), coil nail producers, and pneumatic tool makers for precise specifications. Manufacturer product data sheets provide exact nail counts per coil, nail dimensions, collation angle, and recommended applications.