ROOF PITCH CALCULATOR

This is a tool for construction projects that helps you calculate the roof pitch. You can use it to find the roof pitch in degrees or as a ratio or percentage. It even has diagrams to help you understand it better. The tool will guide you through the steps to calculate the roof pitch.

Engineering Input

RUN: 12RISE: 4

How to Calculate Roof Pitch

  1. 1. Measure the Rise: First you need to measure the distance from the roof deck to the peak. This is called the Rise.
  2. 2. Measure the Run:Next measure the distance from the wall to the point directly under the peak. This is called the Run.
  3. 3. Calculate the Ratio: Then you calculate the Ratio by dividing the Rise by the Run. For example it could be 6:12.
  4. 4. Convert to Degrees: After that you can convert this ratio to degrees using a formula.
  5. 5. Get Percentage:Finally you can find the percentage by multiplying the ratio by 100.

Common Roof Pitch Ratios:

  • • 4:12 (18.4°): 4:12 is a pitch, which is good for metal roofs because water does not stay on it
  • • 6:12 (26.6°): 6:12 is a pitch that you see on most homes.
  • • 8:12 (33.7°): 8:12 is a pitch, which means water will run off the roof quickly.
  • • 12:12 (45°): 12:12 is a steep pitch that gives a dramatic look to the roof.

Roof Pitch Calculator Tips

Why do you need to calculate the roof pitch?

The roof pitch determines how material you need how well water will drain off the roof how much snow the roof can handle and if the roof meets the building code requirements.

WWhat is the minimum roof pitch required?

Most building codes say that the minimum roof pitch should be 2:12 for roofs with shingles and 1:12 for metal roofs.

How accurate do your measurements need to be?

You should measure everything to the 1/4 inch to get professional results. Small mistakes can make a difference, in the amount of material you need.