What Size Hail Damages a Roof?
The hail size chart, what real damage looks like on asphalt shingles, and the documentation that turns an inspection into an approved claim.
Hail size chart
| Diameter | Common name | Typical roof impact |
|---|---|---|
| 0.25" | Pea | None to asphalt shingles |
| 0.50" | Marble | Rarely damages shingles; can dent soft metals |
| 0.75" | Penny | Threshold for damage on aged/brittle shingles |
| 0.88" | Nickel | Granule loss and bruising on many shingles |
| 1.00" | Quarter | The claim threshold — damages most asphalt shingles |
| 1.25" | Half dollar | Bruising, mat fractures, vent/flashing dents |
| 1.50" | Ping pong ball | Widespread shingle damage, window screens |
| 1.75" | Golf ball | Severe shingle damage, cracked skylights, siding |
| 2.00" | Hen egg | Punctures possible on aged roofs; auto damage |
| 2.50" | Tennis ball | Punctures, broken windows, structural concerns |
| 2.75" | Baseball | Severe damage to any roof system |
| 4.00"+ | Softball | Catastrophic — full replacement territory |
1" (quarter-size) is the common claim threshold for asphalt shingles — highlighted above. Aged roofs damage at smaller sizes.
What hail damage actually looks like
Fresh hail bruises read as dark circular spots where granules were driven off, exposing the mat underneath. Press gently — a true bruise feels soft, like a bruised apple, because the fiberglass mat beneath is fractured. Distinguish it from blistering (raised, uniform, heat-related) and foot-traffic scuffing (linear, along walk paths). Check the collateral evidence first: dented downspouts, gutter dings, mailbox dents, and AC condenser fins tell you the storm's direction and intensity before you ever climb.
Damage clusters on slopes facing the storm. Document 10×10 test squares per slope, photograph every bruise with chalk markings, and pair the photo set with the verified weather record for the address.
The documentation that wins claims
Adjusters push back on "there was a storm." They accept specifics: the National Weather Service logged 1.75" hail 2.1 miles from this address on this date. Rooftops AI attaches that verified storm history to any property in seconds — every NWS-reported hail, wind, and tornado event near the address with size, date, and distance — alongside satellite measurements of the roof itself. Inspection photos + verified event + measured scope is the package that gets approved.
FAQ
What size hail damages an asphalt shingle roof?
One-inch (quarter-size) hail is the widely used threshold for functional damage to asphalt shingles, though 3/4" hail can damage aged or brittle roofs, and wind-driven smaller hail can bruise shingles at an angle. Damage depends on shingle age, quality, and hail density as much as diameter.
What does hail damage look like on a roof?
Look for circular bruises where granules are knocked away exposing the black fiberglass mat, random-pattern granule loss (not the uniform wear of aging), soft spots that give like a bruised apple, and collateral indicators: dented gutters, downspouts, vents, and AC fins. Damage concentrates on the slopes facing the storm.
How long do homeowners have to file a hail claim?
Most policies allow one year from the date of loss, and several states set specific windows (some as short as six months for supplemental claims, others up to two years). The date matters — which is why documenting the specific verified storm event, not just 'recent hail,' anchors the claim.
How do roofers prove which storm caused the damage?
Verified weather records. The National Weather Service logs ground-truth hail reports with size, time, and location. Pairing an inspection photo set with the matching NWS report for that address — date, hail size, distance from the property — is the documentation adjusters respect.
Pull the verified storm history for any address
Every NWS hail, wind, and tornado report near the property — size, date, distance — plus satellite roof measurements. See recent storms in your state free.