Calculate roof pitch, slope, rise, run, and angle with easy conversions between ratios, degrees, and percentages.
Roof Pitch Planning Ideas
Find rise, run, rafter length, and pitch in degrees, percent, or x:12 before you build or reroof.
What you get
- Rise, run, and rafter length
- Pitch in degrees, %, and x:12
- Category: flat, low, conventional, high
- Roof pitch multiplier for area
Helpful extras
- Feet, inches, meters, or centimeters
- Common pitch presets (2:12–12:12)
- Live triangle diagram
- Walkability guidance by pitch
How we calculate
rafter² = rise² + run²pitch% = rise ÷ runangle = arctan(rise ÷ run)x:12 = (rise ÷ run) × 12
A 4:12 pitch rises 4 inches for every 12 inches of run — about 18.4° or 33.3%. It’s a common conventional pitch for asphalt shingles in many U.S. homes.
About 6:12 (26.5°) or less is generally easier to walk. Steeper pitches need more caution or special equipment. Never take risks on a roof — falls can be fatal.
