How Many Nails Per Shingle Do You Need?
Most asphalt shingles need 4 nails per shingle. That is the minimum in the International Residential Code (IRC) and the standard pattern in most manufacturer instructions. Very steep roofs, steeper than 21:12, typically need 6. Some brands also call for 6 in high-wind areas. The instructions on the shingle bundle always have the final say.
How Many Nails Hold a Shingle?
In the video above, our crew answers how many nails per shingle it takes to keep a roof secure. The count is only half the job. Where to nail shingles and what size nails to use matter just as much.
Where Should You Nail Shingles?
Nail shingles in the nailing area the manufacturer specifies. It sits just above the part of the shingle that stays exposed, so the next row covers every nail head.
For the Atlas ProLam shingles we install, Atlas’s instructions spell it out:
Use 4 nails, placed 7 inches up from the bottom edge of the shingle.
Put one nail about 1 inch in from each end, and space the other two evenly between them.
Drive each nail straight, with the head flush and never cutting into the shingle.
Never leave a nail where it will show on the finished roof.
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) adds two rules. Keep every nail at least 1 inch from the end of the shingle. When possible, keep the cutouts and joints of the next row at least 2 inches away from any nail.
Where to Nail Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles, also called laminated shingles, are two layers bonded together, and each nail must catch both. Atlas warns that nailing ProLam shingles too high can separate those layers, and that delamination after installation does not justify a warranty claim. Not sure which kind you have? Compare the types of roof shingles.
What Is a Shingle Nailing Pattern?
A shingle nailing pattern is the number and position of nails on each shingle. The 4-nail pattern covers most roofs. A 6-nail pattern adds fasteners on very steep slopes, or when a manufacturer’s high-wind instructions require it.
4 Nails vs. 6 Nails: Which Pattern Applies?
| Roof or Situation | Nails Per Shingle | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Most roofs, up to a 21:12 slope | 4 per shingle | IRC minimum; Atlas ProLam |
| Very steep slopes and mansards (over 21:12) | 6 per shingle, plus spots of roofing cement | Atlas ProLam instructions |
| High-wind installations | The brand's high-wind pattern | Manufacturer (IKO calls for 6) |
So the answer to how many nails per shingle depends on the roof, but extra nails don’t make up for bad placement. Pennsylvania’s statewide Uniform Construction Code builds on the International Code Council’s model codes, including the IRC. With tri-state storms and winter winds, even the best roof for high winds depends on how it’s fastened.
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What Size Nails Do You Need for Shingles?
Use corrosion-resistant roofing nails with a 12-gauge or heavier shank and a head at least 3/8 inch across. Each nail should reach 3/4 inch into the roof deck, or go all the way through a thinner deck. On a first layer of Atlas ProLam shingles, Atlas sets the minimum nail length at 1¼ inches.
Roofing Nail Specs at a Glance
| Nail Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Shank | 12-gauge (0.105 inch) or heavier |
| Head | At least 3/8 inch across |
| Material | Galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum or copper |
| Depth into the deck | 3/4 inch, or through a thinner deck by at least 1/8 inch |
| Length on a new ProLam roof | 1¼ inches minimum (Atlas) |
Nails also need solid wood to grip, which is why the roof decking gets inspected during a roof tear-off. A second layer takes longer nails and has its own trade-offs, covered in our guide to roofing over existing shingles.
What Happens When Shingles Are Nailed Wrong?
Nails in the wrong spot, or driven the wrong way, can make shingles slide, lift, leak, or blow off. ARMA ties improper nailing to sealing failures, raised tabs, and blow-offs. Watch for these mistakes:
High nails: They can miss the double layer of an architectural shingle.
Low nails: The next row can’t cover them, leaving heads exposed to rain.
Overdriven nails: The head cuts into the shingle and weakens its hold.
Underdriven or crooked nails: The head sits up and can keep the shingle above from sealing flat.
A poorly adjusted nail gun: It can overdrive or underdrive nails across a whole roof.
ARMA’s fix: tap underdriven nails flush. Pull overdriven or crooked nails, seal the hole with asphalt roof cement and nail again nearby, or replace the shingle. Nailing errors can also put your shingle warranty at risk.
How Can You Tell If Your Roof Was Nailed Correctly?
You shouldn’t see a single nail head on a finished roof, so look for the signs instead. Shingles should lie flat and stay sealed, with none lifted, shifted, or missing after a windstorm.
From the ground: Look for straight, flat rows with no lifted edges or missing pieces.
Before the job: Ask which shingle brand your roofer installs and how many nails per shingle its instructions require.
Up close: Walking a roof is risky, so let a roof inspection check it safely.
FAQ'S
For most asphalt shingles on a normal roof, yes, as long as the nails are the right size, driven straight, and placed in the nailing area. Four nails is the minimum in the International Residential Code and the standard pattern for shingles like Atlas ProLam.
Shingles typically need 6 nails on very steep roofs, steeper than 21:12, such as mansards. Some brands, like IKO, also call for 6 nails in high-wind areas. Always check the instructions for your shingle.
No. According to ARMA, both the International Building Code and the International Residential Code require roofing nails to fasten asphalt shingles.
Roofing nails should go at least 3/4 inch into the roof deck. If the deck is thinner, the nail should pass all the way through it and stick out at least 1/8 inch, per ARMA and Atlas.
That’s normal. Correctly sized nails pass through a deck thinner than 3/4 inch, so their tips show from the attic. It means the nails went fully through the deck, as the guidelines require.
Yes. Shingle warranties depend on following the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Atlas, for example, states that incorrectly placed nails void the wind coverage of its shingle warranty.
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