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Short answer: One layer of asphalt shingles weighs about 205 lb (3-tab) to 223 lb (architectural) per roofing square, so a 2,000 sq ft roof is roughly 2.0–2.2 tons. Enter your roof below for the weight and the right dumpster size.
| Shingle | Per square, one layer | 20 squares | 30 squares |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles, 3-tab | 200–205 lb | 2.0 tons | 3.1 tons |
| Asphalt shingles, architectural/laminated | 217–240 lb | 2.2 tons | 3.3 tons |
| Asphalt shingles, heavy designer/premium | 300 lb | 3.0 tons | 4.5 tons |
| Asphalt felt underlayment | 8–26 lb | 0.1 tons | 0.2 tons |
Roof area is the surface of the roof, which is larger than the house footprint on any pitched roof. Your roofer's estimate lists it in squares.
Pros: see construction dumpster sizes by phase and the debris weight calculator for mixed tear-offs.
One layer of 3-tab asphalt shingles weighs about 200–205 lb per roofing square (100 sq ft), and architectural shingles about 217–240 lb, per manufacturer data sheets. Heavy designer shingles can reach 300 lb.
Weight decides it. A 2,000 sq ft architectural-shingle roof (20 squares, one layer) weighs about 2.2 tons, which fits in a 10- or 15-yard by volume but goes over the 1-ton allowance large booking sites list for those sizes. Their 20-yard includes 2–3 tons. Two layers double the weight.
By weight, not volume. A 20-yard with a 2-ton allowance covers about 17 squares of one-layer architectural shingles before overage, even though it has room for far more. Allowances vary by hauler, so ask each one how much weight is included.
For national estimates, the EPA assumes 240 lb per square of asphalt roof tear-off, or about 3,400 lb for a typical 1,400 sq ft roof.