Free Tool
Hail Size Checker: Will This Hail Damage My Roof?
The storm passed, there's ice in the yard, and the question is whether the roof took a hit. Hail size is the first clue. Tap the object that matches what you saw and the checker tells you whether it's in the range inspectors and insurers pay attention to.
Interactive Tool
Hail Size & Damage Threshold Checker
Tap the object closest to the hail you saw. Based on the standard size-comparison scale insurers and inspectors reference - not a substitute for a physical roof inspection.
Quarter - 1" diameter
At or above the common inspection threshold
The size most commonly cited by insurers and inspectors as the threshold worth a closer look at roofing and exterior surfaces.
Reference scale only - actual damage depends on roofing material, age, wind-driven impact angle, and storm duration. See the full field reference guide for how to document and estimate hail size after a storm.
What to do after the storm
Photograph the hail next to a coin or ruler before it melts. Then walk around the house from the ground: dented gutters, downspouts, AC fins and car hoods are easy places to see impact marks, and if they are dented the roof deserves a closer look. Don't climb onto a wet roof.
The full checklist is in what to do right after a hailstorm, and signs of hail damage on a roof shows what bruised shingles look like.
Official hail references
NOAA keeps the federal hail-size comparison table and the record of reported hail by county and date.
- NOAA Storm Prediction Center: hail size reference table
The federal table comparing hail diameter to coins and balls, used in storm reports.
- NOAA Storm Events Database: Texas
Official records of hail and wind events by county and date, useful for confirming a storm date.
- Texas Department of Insurance: after a hail or windstorm
Step-by-step claim tips after hail or wind damage, including documenting damage and deadlines.
Questions
What size hail damages a roof?
Quarter-size hail (1 inch) and larger is the size insurers and inspectors most often treat as worth a roof check. Smaller hail can still damage an older roof, especially with strong wind, so the size is a guide rather than a rule.
How do I measure hail after a storm?
Once it's safe, pick up a few of the largest stones and measure them with a ruler, or set them next to a coin for a photo. Hail melts fast, so take the picture right away and note the date and time.
How can I prove what size hail hit my house?
Your own photos with a coin or ruler for scale are the best evidence. NOAA's Storm Events Database also lists reported hail by county and date, which an adjuster can check against your claim.
Should I file a claim after quarter-size hail?
Get the roof inspected first. If there is damage, compare the repair estimate with your deductible before filing. Our hail deductible calculator shows what a claim would actually pay.