Roof Pitch Calculator
Calculate roof pitch, angle, and rafter length based on rise and run measurements for your roofing project.
Roof Pitch Results
Detailed Measurements:
Common Roof Pitches:
About
Our Roof Pitch Calculator helps homeowners, builders, and roofers determine roof slope measurements for construction and material estimation.
Why Choose
Accurate pitch calculations, multiple measurement types (ratio, angle, length), visual representation, and comparison with standard roof types.
Features
Calculate pitch ratio, angle, rafter length, and percentage. Visual diagram helps understand the roof slope relationship between rise and run.
Benefits
Plan roofing projects accurately, estimate materials correctly, ensure proper drainage, and meet building code requirements for your area.
Enter Measurements
Input your roof rise (inches per foot) and run (typically 12 inches for standard pitch calculation).
Select Calculation
Choose whether to calculate pitch ratio, angle, or rafter length based on your measurements.
Get Results
View your detailed roof pitch information with visual representation and standard comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions – Roof Pitch Calculator
Roof pitch is the steepness of a roof expressed as a ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run (e.g., 4:12 means 4 inches of rise per 12 inches of run). It’s crucial for proper drainage, material selection, structural requirements, and meeting building codes. Steeper pitches shed water and snow better but require more materials.
You can measure pitch by: 1) Using a level and tape measure (place level horizontally on roof, measure 12″ from end, then measure vertically to roof surface), 2) Using a pitch gauge or smartphone app, or 3) Calculating from blueprints by dividing total rise by total run and converting to inches per foot.
Pitch is a ratio (rise:run) while angle is the actual slope in degrees. A 4:12 pitch equals about 18.43°. Pitch is more commonly used in construction because it’s easier to measure practically, while angle is more mathematical. Our calculator provides both measurements.
Ideal pitch depends on: 1) Climate (steeper for heavy snow, shallower for high winds), 2) Roofing material (some require minimum pitches), 3) Aesthetics, and 4) Local building codes. Conventional pitches (4:12-9:12) work for most homes. Consult a roofing professional for specific recommendations.
Steeper pitches increase costs because: 1) More materials are needed (up to 30% more for very steep roofs), 2) Installation takes longer and requires more safety measures, 3) Special equipment may be needed, and 4) Some materials can’t be used on low slopes. A 6:12 pitch typically offers the best balance of cost and performance.