There is no single size that damages every roof, but hail around one inch across, roughly the size of a quarter, is a commonly cited threshold where asphalt shingles start to get hurt. Smaller hail can still cause damage on an old or brittle roof, and larger hail raises the odds quickly. Treat any number as a rule of thumb, not a guarantee in either direction.
What size is hail, in plain terms?
Weather reports compare hail to everyday objects, because that is easier to picture than a measurement. The National Weather Service uses a standard set of comparisons so that reports line up from one storm to the next.
| Common comparison | Approximate diameter | Rough effect on a typical shingle roof |
|---|---|---|
| Pea | Under half an inch | Usually cosmetic at most |
| Penny or nickel | Under an inch | Often little damage on newer roofs |
| Quarter | About 1 inch | Commonly cited as where shingle damage can begin |
| Half dollar | A bit over 1 inch | Damage becomes more likely |
| Golf ball | Just under 2 inches | Widespread damage is common |
| Tennis ball | Around 2.5 inches | Severe damage to roofs and other surfaces |
| Baseball and larger | 2.75 inches and up | Can break through shingles, skylights and vehicle glass |
The inch figures are approximate and the roof effect column is a general pattern, not a measured result for any specific shingle.
Why does size alone not decide it?
Size is only one input. These matter just as much:
- Roof age and condition. Older shingles dry out and lose flexibility, so the same hail that a new roof shrugs off can crack an older one.
- Wind. Hail driven sideways hits at an angle and carries more force across the surface than hail falling straight down.
- Hail hardness and shape. Dense, jagged stones hit harder than soft, slushy ones of the same size.
- Shingle type. Heavier or impact-rated products are designed to take more. See Class 3 vs Class 4 shingles.
- Roof slope and direction. The slope facing the storm often takes the worst of it.
- Duration. Ten minutes of hail does more than one pass.
What does damage actually look like?
On asphalt shingles, the classic hail hit is a round spot where the surface granules were knocked off and the mat underneath is bruised or fractured. Soft metals show dents. From the ground, you may only see damage on gutters, vents and screens. For the full ground-level checklist, read how to tell if hail damaged your roof.
Our owner posted after one storm that there was so much hail it covered the ground. That is a sign of a heavy event, but how much of it landed on your roof, and how large it was, can only be judged by checking the roof.
How can I find out what size hail fell near me?
Look at preliminary storm reports from the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center. They list reported hail sizes by place and date, which gives you a starting point. Reports are preliminary, often come from spotters and the public, and can differ from what fell at your exact address. Our Oklahoma County hail history summarizes reported hail of one inch or larger by date.
Does small hail ever cause damage?
Yes, sometimes. Hail under an inch can hurt an old roof, a roof already weakened by earlier hail, or soft components such as vents and skylights. If you are not sure about your roof's condition, a roofer can tell you whether it is more vulnerable than it looks.
Frequently asked questions
Will quarter-size hail damage my roof? It might. Quarter-size is around the point commonly cited for the start of shingle damage, but a newer, well-installed roof may come through with little harm and an older one may not. Have it looked at if you are worried.
Does golf ball hail always mean a new roof? Not automatically. Golf ball hail makes damage likely, but whether repair or replacement is right depends on how many hits there are and the shingle condition. See can hail damage be repaired.
Is hail of 1 inch the official severe hail line? The National Weather Service has used one inch as its severe hail criterion in recent years. That is a forecasting standard, not a roofing standard, and it is a convenient coincidence that it is near the commonly cited shingle threshold.
Can a Class 4 shingle be damaged by hail? Impact-rated shingles are designed to resist hail better, but they are not immune. Large enough hail can still cause damage.
How do I know what size hail hit my house? You usually cannot know exactly. Storm reports, photos you took of hail on the ground with a coin or ruler beside it, and damage on soft metals all help.
Does my policy cover hail damage? Policies differ, and some have separate hail deductibles or roof schedules. Read yours and ask your agent.
Talk to us about your roof
Total Roof Protection OKC can inspect your roof and tell you what we see. Call 405-415-5841 to schedule an inspection. An inspection describes the roof. It does not predict your insurer's decision.