# Best Roofing Nailers for DIY Reroofs (2026) Six coil roofing nailers ranked on published specs for a DIY asphalt-shingle reroof, with the nails, magazine loads and battery charges worked out from the roofing calculator. Buying guide page: (published 2026-10-06, updated 2026-10-06). This Markdown version has the picks, how they were ranked, their published specs and the figures behind them; product links and the full article are on the page. ## Key takeaways - For a whole DIY reroof, an air nailer on a compressor is the practical choice: the example roof below takes 4,000 nails, or 8 charges of a 500-nail cordless battery. - IKO Cambridge shingles take 4 nails each (6 on steep slopes or in high-wind areas): 240 to 360 nails per square, or 2 to 3 magazine loads of 120. - OSHA says the injury risk is twice as high with a contact trigger as with a sequential one; the DEWALT DW46RN comes with both triggers. - Every pick drives coil roofing nails up to 1-3/4 in and has a depth adjustment; buy nails in the coil angle its maker lists. - Picks are ranked on the makers' published specs for this job, not on our own use of them. ## In this guide 1. [Quick picks](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/roofing-nailers/#quick-picks) 2. [How we chose](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/roofing-nailers/#methodology) 3. [The picks in detail](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/roofing-nailers/#picks) 4. [Spec comparison](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/roofing-nailers/#comparison) 5. [What to look for in a roofing nailer](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/roofing-nailers/#what-to-look-for) 6. [How many nails a reroof takes](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/roofing-nailers/#how-many-nails) 7. [Pneumatic or cordless?](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/roofing-nailers/#pneumatic-or-cordless) 8. [Frequently asked questions](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/best/roofing-nailers/#faq) ## Quick picks **Quick picks, in rank order** | Rank | Pick | Best for | Weight | Trigger | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | DEWALT DW46RN 15° Coil Roofing Nailer | Best overall for a DIY reroof | 5.36 lb (tool only) | Contact (bump) and sequential, both included | | 2 | Metabo HPT NV45AB2 1-3/4 in. Coil Roofing Nailer | Best for fast nailing | 5.7 lb | Contact; sequential trip sold as an optional accessory | | 3 | SENCO RoofPro 445XP 1-3/4 in. Coil Roofing Nailer | Best lightweight air nailer | 5.2 lb | Contact actuation | | 4 | MAX CN445R3 SuperRoofer 1-3/4 in. Coil Roofing Nailer | Best for low upkeep | 5.6 lb | Contact actuation | | 5 | Metabo HPT NV1845DA 18V MultiVolt Brushless 1-3/4 in. Coil Roofing Nailer Kit | Best cordless for repairs and small jobs | 8.6 lb (tool only) | Bump and sequential modes | | 6 | DEWALT DCN45RNB 20V MAX 15° Cordless Coil Roofing Nailer (Tool Only) | Best for DEWALT 20V MAX owners | 6.8 lb | Bump | ## How we chose Ranked on published manufacturer specs and features for nailing asphalt shingles on a DIY reroof; not hands-on tested. Every spec is quoted from the maker's product page or manual and was checked on 2026-10-06. No prices or ratings are shown; the order is a judgment on these criteria: 1. **Air or battery.** We rank air nailers above cordless ones for a whole reroof. A compressor keeps an air nailer firing, while the cordless picks list 500 nails per charge: about 2.08 squares at 4 nails per shingle, against 16.53 squares for the example roof below. Cordless nailers suit repairs and small jobs. 2. **A sequential trigger.** OSHA says the risk of a nail gun injury is twice as high with a multi-shot contact trigger as with a single-shot sequential trigger. Within each power type, a nailer that offers sequential firing (in the box, as a mode or as an optional part) ranks above one that lists contact or bump firing only. 3. **Tool weight.** You hold the nailer through thousands of nails, often on a slope. Between nailers that tie on power and trigger, the lower published weight ranks higher. 4. **Nail length and coil angle.** IKO's nailing instructions call for nails long enough to go through plywood decking or 3/4 in into board decking. Every pick drives coil nails up to 1-3/4 in; buy the coil angle its maker lists (15° or 16°). 5. **Depth adjustment.** IKO's instructions say to drive each nail so its head is flush with the shingle surface without cutting into it. Every pick has a published depth adjustment, so this criterion confirms the picks rather than reordering them. ## The picks in detail ### 1. Best overall for a DIY reroof: DEWALT DW46RN **DEWALT DW46RN 15° Coil Roofing Nailer.** An air nailer that comes with both a contact (bump) trigger and a sequential trigger, so you can nail in sequential mode, which OSHA links to a lower injury risk than contact firing. It drives 15° wire-collated coils from 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in, holds 120 nails, sets depth without tools and weighs 5.36 lb. On a compressor there is no battery to recharge: the example roof's 4,000 nails are 34 magazine loads. Ranked on: air or battery, a sequential trigger, tool weight, nail length and coil angle, depth adjustment. - Weight: 5.36 lb (tool only) - Trigger: Contact (bump) and sequential, both included - Nail length: 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in - Nails: 15° wire-collated coil, 0.120 in - Magazine: 120 nails - Depth adjustment: Tool-free - Power: Pneumatic - Operating pressure: 70–120 psi Specs from [DEWALT DW46RN Coil Roofing Nailer product page](https://www.dewalt.com/en-us/product/dw46rn/coil-roofing-nailer), [DEWALT DW46RN coil roofing nailer instruction manual](https://assets.dewalt.com/GLOBALBOM/QU/DW46RN/1/Instruction_Manual/EN/NA416546_DW46RN_NA.pdf) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 2. Best for fast nailing: Metabo HPT NV45AB2 **Metabo HPT NV45AB2 1-3/4 in. Coil Roofing Nailer.** The only air pick here with a published firing rate: up to 10 nails per second, on a 5.7 lb tool with tool-less depth adjustment and a 120-nail magazine. It takes 16° wire coils from 7/8 in to 1-3/4 in, so buy nails to match. It ranks below the DEWALT because it fires by contact as sold; Metabo HPT offers a sequential trip as an optional accessory. Ranked on: air or battery, a sequential trigger, tool weight, nail length and coil angle, depth adjustment. - Weight: 5.7 lb - Trigger: Contact; sequential trip sold as an optional accessory - Nail length: 7/8 in to 1-3/4 in - Nails: 16° wire-collated coil - Magazine: 120 nails - Depth adjustment: Tool-less - Power: Pneumatic - Operating pressure: 70–120 psi - Firing rate: Up to 10 nails per second Specs from [Metabo HPT 1-3/4 in. Coil Roofing Nailer (NV45AB2) product page](https://www.metabo-hpt.com/products/product/coil-roofing-nailer-metabo-hpt-nv45ab2) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 3. Best lightweight air nailer: SENCO RoofPro 445XP **SENCO RoofPro 445XP 1-3/4 in. Coil Roofing Nailer.** At 5.2 lb it is the lightest of these six picks, with tool-free depth adjustment, an adjustable and removable shingle guide and a clear magazine door that shows when to reload. It takes 15° coils from 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in, 120 at a time, and SENCO lists its air consumption at 3.86 SCFM. It ranks third because SENCO lists contact actuation only, with no sequential option. Ranked on: air or battery, tool weight, a sequential trigger, nail length and coil angle, depth adjustment. - Weight: 5.2 lb - Trigger: Contact actuation - Nail length: 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in - Nails: 15° wire coil, 0.12 in - Magazine: 120 nails - Depth adjustment: Tool-free - Power: Pneumatic - Operating pressure: 70–120 psi - Air consumption: 3.86 SCFM Specs from [SENCO RoofPro 445XP 1-3/4" Coil Nailer (8V0001N) product page](https://www.senco.com/senco-tool/roofpro-trade-445xp/) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 4. Best for low upkeep: MAX CN445R3 **MAX CN445R3 SuperRoofer 1-3/4 in. Coil Roofing Nailer.** MAX designs the nose to resist tar build-up and adds a magnet that holds the last nail, so none of the coil goes to waste, plus a depth adjustment dial and a 120-nail magazine for 15° coils from 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in. It weighs 5.6 lb, and its manual recommends 70 to 100 psi. Like the SENCO it fires by contact actuation only, and it is the heavier of the two. Ranked on: air or battery, a sequential trigger, tool weight, depth adjustment, nail length and coil angle. - Weight: 5.6 lb - Trigger: Contact actuation - Nail length: 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in - Nails: 15° wire coil, up to .120 in - Magazine: 120 nails - Depth adjustment: Adjustment dial - Power: Pneumatic - Operating pressure: 70–100 psi recommended; 120 psi max Specs from [MAX SuperRoofer CN445R3 Roofing Coil Nailer product page](https://www.maxusacorp.com/nailers_compressors/products/roofing-coil-nailer-cn445r3-superroofer/), [MAX CN445R3 operating and maintenance manual](https://www.maxusacorp.com/wp-content/uploads/CN445R3-3.pdf) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 5. Best cordless for repairs and small jobs: Metabo HPT NV1845DA **Metabo HPT NV1845DA 18V MultiVolt Brushless 1-3/4 in. Coil Roofing Nailer Kit.** No hose or compressor: an 18V kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger, listed at 500 nails per charge, with bump and sequential modes and tool-less depth adjustment. One charge covers about 2.08 squares at 4 nails per shingle, so the example roof's 4,000 nails take 8 charges, which is why Metabo HPT pitches it at repairs and smaller roofing jobs. At 8.6 lb for the tool alone it is the heaviest pick, and it takes 16° coils from 7/8 in to 1-3/4 in. Ranked on: air or battery, a sequential trigger, nail length and coil angle, depth adjustment, tool weight. - Weight: 8.6 lb (tool only) - Trigger: Bump and sequential modes - Nail length: 7/8 in to 1-3/4 in - Nails: 16° wire coil, .120 in - Magazine: 120 nails - Depth adjustment: Tool-less - Power: 18V battery (2.0Ah battery and charger included); 500 nails per charge - Firing rate: 3 nails per second Specs from [Metabo HPT 18V MultiVolt Brushless 1-3/4" Coil Roofing Nailer (NV1845DA) product page](https://www.metabo-hpt.com/products/product/18v-multivolt--brushless-1-3-4--coil-roofing-nailer-(1-x-2.0ah)---metabo-hpt-nv1845da) (checked 2026-10-06). ### 6. Best for DEWALT 20V MAX owners: DEWALT DCN45RNB **DEWALT DCN45RNB 20V MAX 15° Cordless Coil Roofing Nailer (Tool Only).** A bare tool for DEWALT 20V MAX batteries: up to 500 nails per charge and up to 3 nails per second on a 2 Ah battery, a tool-free depth wheel and a 120-nail canister for 15° coils from 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in. It fires in bump mode only, and its manual lists 6.8 lb. DEWALT calls it ideal for service repairs and small jobs; the whole example roof would take 8 charges. Ranked on: air or battery, a sequential trigger, nail length and coil angle, depth adjustment. - Weight: 6.8 lb - Trigger: Bump - Nail length: 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in - Nails: 15° wire-collated coil - Magazine: 120 nails - Depth adjustment: Tool-free depth wheel - Power: 20V MAX battery, sold separately; up to 500 nails per charge on a 2 Ah battery - Firing rate: Up to 3 nails per second on a 2 Ah battery Specs from [DEWALT 20V MAX 15° Cordless Coil Roofing Nailer, tool only (DCN45RNB) product page](https://www.dewalt.com/en-us/product/dcn45rnb/20v-max-15deg-cordless-coil-roofing-nailer-tool-only), [DEWALT DCN45RN cordless coil roofing nailer instruction manual](https://assets.dewalt.com/GLOBALBOM/QU/DCN45RNB/1/Instruction_Manual/EN/N739380_DCN45RN.pdf) (checked 2026-10-06). ## Spec comparison **Published specs of each pick** | Pick | Weight | Trigger | Nail length | Nails | Magazine | Depth adjustment | Power | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1. DEWALT DW46RN | 5.36 lb (tool only) | Contact (bump) and sequential, both included | 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in | 15° wire-collated coil, 0.120 in | 120 nails | Tool-free | Pneumatic | | 2. Metabo HPT NV45AB2 | 5.7 lb | Contact; sequential trip sold as an optional accessory | 7/8 in to 1-3/4 in | 16° wire-collated coil | 120 nails | Tool-less | Pneumatic | | 3. SENCO RoofPro 445XP | 5.2 lb | Contact actuation | 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in | 15° wire coil, 0.12 in | 120 nails | Tool-free | Pneumatic | | 4. MAX CN445R3 | 5.6 lb | Contact actuation | 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in | 15° wire coil, up to .120 in | 120 nails | Adjustment dial | Pneumatic | | 5. Metabo HPT NV1845DA | 8.6 lb (tool only) | Bump and sequential modes | 7/8 in to 1-3/4 in | 16° wire coil, .120 in | 120 nails | Tool-less | 18V battery (2.0Ah battery and charger included); 500 nails per charge | | 6. DEWALT DCN45RNB | 6.8 lb | Bump | 3/4 in to 1-3/4 in | 15° wire-collated coil | 120 nails | Tool-free depth wheel | 20V MAX battery, sold separately; up to 500 nails per charge on a 2 Ah battery | “Not published” means the maker's page or manual does not state it. ## Figures behind the picks Computed with this site's calculators; the page shows the working. - Example roof: the roofing calculator's default house (40 × 30 ft, 1 ft overhang, 6/12 pitch, 10% allowance): 16.53 squares; 50 bundles of IKO Cambridge at 33.3 sq ft each - IKO Cambridge shingles in 50 bundles (20 per bundle): 1,000 - Nails per square of IKO Cambridge (60 shingles): 240 at 4 nails per shingle; 360 at 6 - Nails for the example roof: 4,000 at 4 per shingle; 6,000 at 6 - Magazine loads (120-nail coils) per square: 2 at 4 nails per shingle; 3 at 6 - Magazine loads (120-nail coils) for the example roof: 34 at 4 per shingle; 50 at 6 - Squares per 500-nail battery charge: 2.08 at 4 nails per shingle; 1.39 at 6 - 500-nail battery charges for the example roof: 8 at 4 per shingle; 12 at 6 ## Frequently asked questions ### How many roofing nails per square? For IKO Cambridge laminated shingles, 240: a square is 60 shingles and IKO calls for 4 nails per shingle. On steep slopes or in high-wind areas it calls for 6, or 360 per square. Other shingles differ, so multiply the shingles per square on your wrapper by the nail count in its instructions. ### How many roofing nails do I need for a whole roof? Multiply the shingles you buy by the nails per shingle. The roofing calculator's default house (40 × 30 ft, 6/12 pitch, 10% allowance) needs 50 bundles of IKO Cambridge, 1,000 shingles, so 4,000 nails at 4 each or 6,000 at 6. Starter strips and ridge caps need nails of their own on top of that. ### What length nails does a roofing nailer use? These picks drive coil roofing nails from 3/4 in (7/8 in on both Metabo HPT models) up to 1-3/4 in. IKO says nails must be long enough to go through plywood decking or 3/4 in into board decking, so the deck and the shingle thickness set the length. Buy nails in the coil angle the maker lists: 15° for the DEWALT, SENCO and MAX nailers, 16° for Metabo HPT. ### Is a cordless roofing nailer enough for a whole roof? It can do it, slowly. Both cordless picks list 500 nails per charge on a 2 Ah battery, about 2.08 squares at 4 nails per shingle, so the example roof takes 8 charges (12 at 6 nails per shingle). DEWALT and Metabo HPT both describe theirs as tools for repairs and smaller jobs. ### Contact (bump) or sequential trigger: which should I use? OSHA says the risk of a nail gun injury is twice as high with a multi-shot contact trigger as with a single-shot sequential trigger. The DEWALT DW46RN comes with both triggers, the Metabo HPT NV1845DA switches between bump and sequential modes, and Metabo HPT sells a sequential trip for the NV45AB2; the SENCO, MAX and DEWALT DCN45RNB list contact or bump firing only. ### Did you test these roofing nailers? No. They are ranked on each manufacturer's published specs for nailing asphalt shingles on a DIY reroof, and every spec on this page links to the maker's own page or manual. The nail counts come from this site's roofing calculator and IKO's published shingle counts and nailing instructions. ## Related calculators and guides ### Calculators - [Roofing Calculator](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/roofing-calculator/) — Roof area, roofing squares, and shingle bundles from a footprint and pitch, using the coverage on your shingle wrapper. - [Roof Pitch Calculator](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/roof-pitch-calculator/) — Pitch as x/12, roof angle in degrees, slope percentage, and the sloped length for a given horizontal run. ### Guides - [Architectural vs 3-Tab Shingles](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/architectural-vs-3-tab-shingles/) — 3-tab shingles are one flat layer; architectural shingles are two or more layers bonded together. Compared product by product from CertainTeed and IKO data: size, exposure, coverage per bundle, weight, and wind warranty. - [Roof Underlayment Basics: Synthetic, Felt, and Ice Barrier](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/roof-underlayment-basics/) — Underlayment and ice barrier explained, with laps, low-slope rules, and a worked roll count for a gable roof. - [How to Measure Roof Pitch](https://www.howmanyyardsdoineed.com/guides/how-to-measure-roof-pitch/) — Measure rise over 12 in of run from the attic or roof, read an angle, or work it out from plans, then convert. ## Sources - [Cambridge architectural shingles product page (IKO)](https://www.iko.com/na/product/cambridge/) — IKO Industries. Used for: 40 7/8 × 13 3/4 in; 5 7/8 in exposure; 33 1/3 sq ft and 20 shingles per bundle; 110 mph limited wind warranty, 130 mph upgrade with High Wind Application. Checked 2026-10-06. - [Cambridge technical data sheet (IKO, 11/2023)](https://www.iko.com/na/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/4220XXX_IKO_TDS_Cambridge_EN.pdf) — IKO Industries. Used for: 33.3 sq ft per bundle; 100 sq ft per three bundles; 4 nails standard, 6 for steep-slope or high-wind application. Checked 2026-10-06. - [How Many Square Feet in a Bundle of Shingles (IKO)](https://www.iko.com/na/blog/how-many-shingles-in-a-bundle/) — IKO Industries. Used for: 1 square = 100 sq ft; Cambridge 33.3 sq ft/bundle (3 per square); Armourshake 20 sq ft/bundle (5 per square). Checked 2026-10-04. - [Proper Nailing for Laminated Shingles (IKO Residential Information Bulletin R-64, June 2008)](https://www.iko.com/na/document/tbr64-proper-nailing-for-laminated-shingles-product-bulletin) — IKO Industries. Used for: 4 nails per shingle, 6 in high-wind areas or on slopes of 21 in per foot or more; nails long enough to penetrate through plywood or 3/4 in into boards; heads flush with the shingle surface. Checked 2026-10-06. - [Nail Gun Safety (OSHA)](https://www.osha.gov/nail-gun-safety) — U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Used for: Injury risk twice as high with a multi-shot contact trigger as with a single-shot sequential trigger. Checked 2026-10-06. **Estimate only.** Results are planning estimates computed from the numbers you enter. They are not engineering, structural, or code advice. Confirm quantities, product yields, and installation requirements with your supplier, the product label, and your local building authority before you order or build.