What Size Roofing Nails Do You Need for Asphalt Shingles?
The short answer: use 11- or 12-gauge galvanized roofing nails with at least a ⅛-inch head, long enough to penetrate ¾ inch into the roof deck — usually 1¼ inches for a single layer over ½–⅝-inch sheathing, and 1½–2 inches for re-roofs or thicker decks. Nail length is the part people get wrong, so let's make it simple.
Nail length by situation
| Roofing situation | Typical nail length |
|---|---|
| New shingles over ⅛″–½″ plywood/OSB (bare deck) | 1″ – 1¼″ |
| New shingles over thicker deck or with underlayment buildup | 1¼″ – 1½″ |
| Re-roof / overlay on one existing layer of shingles | 1½″ – 2″ |
| Thick decks or multiple layers | 2″ |
The rule that governs all of it: the nail must go through the shingle and underlayment and at least ¾ inch into the deck — or fully through decking thinner than ¾ inch (so the point just exits the underside). Too short and it won't hold; too long isn't harmful on a bare deck but wastes money and can back out on overlays.
Gauge, head, and shank
- Gauge: 11 or 12 gauge (roughly 0.120″–0.105″ shank). Code minimum is generally 12-gauge.
- Head diameter: at least ⅛ inch (0.375″) — the wide head is what holds the shingle down. Undersized heads pull through.
- Shank: smooth, ring/annular, or barbed. Ring-shank holds best in high-wind areas and is often required by code there.
- Material: hot-dipped galvanized is the standard for corrosion resistance. Use stainless steel in coastal/salt environments or under premium shingles you want to last.
For coil roofing nailers specifically
Pneumatic coil roofing nailers (the tool most roofers use) take 15-degree wire-collated coil roofing nails, commonly 7/8″ to 1¾″. Match the length to your deck (above), and the collation and diameter to your gun — most take 0.120″ (11-gauge), 7/8″–1¾″ coil roofing nails. Guns like the Bostitch RN46 and Metabo HPT NV45AB2 run this standard coil nail (the RN46 at 15°, the NV45AB2 at 16°), so nails are cheap and available everywhere.
Which roofing nails to buy
For a typical single-layer asphalt shingle job over ½″ plywood, 1¼″ hot-dipped galvanized 11-gauge coil roofing nails are the everyday choice; step up to 1½″ for overlays or thicker decks, and ring-shank or stainless for high-wind or coastal roofs.
Frequently asked questions
Can roofing nails be too long?
On a bare deck, extra length is mostly harmless (it exits under the sheathing). On an overlay it wastes money and can telegraph or back out. Match length to deck thickness.
Are staples okay for asphalt shingles?
No — most manufacturers and codes prohibit staples for shingle attachment and will void the warranty. Use roofing nails.
What size nails for architectural (dimensional) shingles?
Same rules — 1¼″ is typical over ½″ deck; go 1½″+ for overlays. Architectural shingles are thicker, so make sure length still buys ¾″ of deck penetration.
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