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Roof Pitch Calculator - Inch Calculator
Roof Pitch Calculator - Inch Calculator
INCH CALCULATOR
Rise: 0.0525 m
Run: 1.00 m
CALCULATE
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Results:
0.63:12 Pitch
5
/8 " per Foot
5.25%
Grade (slope)
3.005° Degrees
0.0525 Radians
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On this page:
Calculator
How to Calculate Roof Pitch
How to Convert Angle in Degrees to Roof Pitch
How to Convert Roof Pitch to Degrees
Standard Roof Pitches
How Pitch Affects the Cost of Roofing
Pitch Variations and Unusual Roofs
By Joe Sexton
Reviewed by Sarabeth Asaff South
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Even flat roofs have a pitch, albeit a small one, as that slope is required to prevent rain
and snow from gathering.
Knowing a roof’s pitch is essential in determining what type of material should be
installed on the roof, the appropriate installation method, and how much roofing
material you’ll need. It’s also an important factor in cold climates for calculating snow
load.
Roof pitch, or slope, is a measure of vertical rise to horizontal run expressed in inches
per foot, which is referred to as rise over run.[1] Meaning that the roof is measured 12″
in from the edge in a horizontal line, then measured from this point straight up to
where the roof intersects. A roof that rises 6″ vertically for every 12″ horizontally has a
6″ per foot, or a 6 in 12 pitch.
Thus, the pitch is the ratio of the rise in inches to a 12-inch run and is often expressed
using a semicolon, for example, 6:12. Sometimes, the pitch is also expressed in fraction
form using a fraction with a slash, such as 6/12.
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You can measure roof pitch by finding the rise and run or by converting from the angle
if it is known. See the chart below for the rise and run values for standard roof pitches.
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On the roof, hold the level perfectly level, and measure the height from the roof to the
level 12 inches away from where the level touches the surface; this will be the rise.
For example, if the end of a level is 4″ above the roof at a point 12″ away from where it
meets the surface, then the pitch is 4:12.
From the attic, hold a level perfectly level and touching a rafter at one end. Measure the
distance from the level to the rafter 12 inches away from where the level touches the
rafter.[2]
the total width divided in half, which is equal to 10 feet or 120 inches.
Since the pitch is the rise over a 12-inch run, you can divide the run by 12 to get the
multiplier; in this case, 120 ÷ 12 = 10.
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Then, divide the rise by the multiplier to get the pitch, e.g. 48 ÷ 10 = 4.8. The pitch of
this roof is 4.8:12. The calculator above can handle much of this math.
Method Four: Measure With a Speed Square
You can also use a speed square and level to quickly measure the roof’s pitch. Set the
level on the edge of the speed square as shown below, then place the heel of the speed
square on a rafter or gable edge of the roof.
Holding the tools level, locate the measurement on the speed square where it meets
the rafter’s bottom edge to find the angle of the roof in degrees.
First, find the slope by finding the tangent of the degrees, e.g. slope = tan(degrees).
Then multiply the slope by 12 to get the rise. You can then express the pitch as inches
per foot.
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To do this, simply convert the rise and run as a fraction to a decimal form, e.g. rise/run =
rise ÷ run = slope. For a pitch expressed in inches per foot, convert to a fraction first,
e.g. a 4 in 12 pitch becomes 4/12, then divide.
Next, find the degrees by finding the slope’s inverse tangent, e.g. degrees =
arctan(slope).
For example: let’s find the angle in degrees for a roof with a 4 in 12 pitch.
4
slope = 4:12 = = .333
12
angle = arctan(.333)
angle = 18.4178°
The table below shows standard roof pitches and the equivalent grade and angle in
degrees and radians for each.
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Pitch Grade (slope) Degrees Radians
Table showing standard roof pitches and the equivalent grade and angle in degrees and
radians.
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A low-slope roof might cost 10% more to install than a flat roof, while a steep-slope
roof might cost 20-30% more. Roofs with a very steep pitch might cost even more than
that to install.
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For example, a dual-pitch gable roof has a different pitch on each side of the home.
Gambrel and Mansard roofs are considered dual-angle roofs. The lower part of the roof
is actually an extension of your home’s walls. This pitch is not quite vertical, but it is
close.
In addition, some Mansard roofs are concave on this lower section, which can make it
seem to have a different pitch. Both sections need to have their pitch calculated
separately. If the roof is concave, you will need to measure from the interior if possible,
as the way the roof curves outward at the bottom will give it the illusion of a less steep
pitch than it truly has.
Most Gambrel and Mansard roofs are 20/12 on the front section, with a more standard
7/12 on the upper portion.
In complex roofs, such as cross gables, which may have multiple roof areas, you may
need to check the pitch of each one – never assume that each section has the same
pitch, as it is common for them to vary.
If you’re considering a new roof, we suggest getting several estimates to learn more
about the right pitch for your roof and understand the cost of installation. We also
cover more about roof replacement costs in detail in our cost guide.
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References
1. Nick Gromicko and Benjamin Gromicko, Measuring Roof Slope and Pitch,
International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, https://www.nachi.org/roof-
slope-pitch.htm
2. Robert C. Young, How to Measure Roof Slope Angles, Weekand,
https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/measure-roof-slope-angles-
18037637.php
3. Evan Gillespie, What Is the Standard Roof Pitch?, Hunker,
https://www.hunker.com/13401081/what-is-the-standard-roof-pitch
INCH CALCULATOR
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