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How to Calculate Roof Pitch: A Complete Guide
Know your roof from every angle
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Roof pitch measures how many vertical inches your roof rises for every 12 horizontal inches, helping you plan repairs and material needs.
You can measure roof pitch from three different locations: safely from inside your attic, from the ground using a pitch gauge, or from the roof with proper safety equipment.
Your roof pitch affects the type and amount of roofing materials you need, with steeper pitches requiring more material and specific installation techniques.
Hiring a local roofing professional removes safety concerns and ensures accurate measurements, especially for complex roofs with multiple pitches or steep angles.
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Whether you're building a new home or addition, installing a new roof, or remodeling your home, you’ll need to know how to calculate roof pitch. Knowing your roof pitch is also helpful when estimating roof replacement or roof truss costs. This guide will teach you how to calculate roof pitch to plan your construction project successfully.
What Is Roof Pitch?
Roof pitch measures how much your roof rises vertically for every 12 inches of horizontal run. The greater the vertical rise, the steeper the pitch. Knowing your roof pitch helps you determine the type and amount of roofing material you need when you’re repairing or replacing your roof.
Below are some common roof pitches and their ratios.
| Pitch Type | Pitch Ratio | Pitch Percentage | Common In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | 3:12–4:12 | 25%–33% | Modern or commercial buildings |
| Medium | 5:12–7:12 | 42%–58% | Residential homes |
| Steep | 8:12–12:12 | 67%–100% | Historic or Tudor-style homes |
How to Calculate Roof Pitch
To calculate roof pitch, you need to know how many vertical inches your roof gains for every foot of horizontal run using the following calculation:
Roof pitch = Rise (inches) / 12 inches
For example, a roof that rises vertically by 5 inches every 12 inches of horizontal run has a 5:12 pitch. You can also express pitch in degrees, like so:
Roof pitch = Rise (inches) / 12 inches X 100
For example, a roof with a 5:12 pitch would equal 42%.
Measuring Roof Pitch
The three main ways to measure room pitch are from the top of the roof, the attic, and the ground. Here’s how to calculate roof pitch using each of these three methods.
Calculating Roof Pitch From the Roof
If you plan to measure roof pitch from the roof, take the proper safety precautions. You’ll need a sturdy ladder and fall protection equipment to prevent serious injuries. Once you’re properly secured and on the roof, grab a 12-inch level and a tape measure.
Place the level flat on the roof’s surface and use your tape measure to determine the roof’s rise to the level’s 12-inch mark. If you measure a vertical rise of 5 inches, your roof’s pitch is 5:12 or 42%.
Calculating Roof Pitch From the Attic
You can also calculate your roof pitch from inside the attic. This is the safer option and doesn’t require ladders or safety equipment.
To measure roof pitch from inside the attic, place the level on top of a ceiling joist and ensure it’s completely level. Then, measure the distance between the 12-inch mark of the level and the roof. That will give you the roof pitch.
For example, if you measure 4 inches from the level to the roof, the pitch is 4:12 or 33%.
Calculating Roof Pitch From the Ground
Measuring roof pitch from the ground using a pitch gauge or an app is also possible.
To measure roof pitch from the ground, point the pitch gauge at the roof and align it with the slope. The gauge should show you the exact pitch of your roof. You can also find apps to do this if you don’t want to buy a gauge. These apps work similarly; you just align them with the roof slope, and they’ll tell you the pitch.
Who to Hire to Calculate Roof Pitch
Although it’s possible to measure roof pitch yourself, you might prefer to hire a roofing pro—especially if you’re measuring pitch from on top of the roof or have a complex roof with numerous pitches. A roofing professional near you will have the right equipment and experience to measure your roof gauge and recommend the type and amount of roofing materials you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Roofing services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.3★ avg. • 120 total reviews
- Chance R.
D1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLC - Jeremy P.
This place took $25,000 for a flat roof job with a five-year warranty and never returned to fix the leaks that were caused by their work. These people are not professionals and should not be doing this type of work. They incorrectly changed the pitch of the roof, and caused more damage than...
- David B.
The technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Kevin S.
I am really impressed with their timeliness and turnaround. Mitchell came out, and we decided to move forward with their pricing. Our roof was on within a week, and we could not be happier with their team! Amazing company, great prices and honest, dependable craftsmanship. I highly recommend...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Rob B.
Manuel Calvillo is the best option in the area for roofing and you won't be disappointed.
- Julie K.
They damaged multiple items on my property, including a marble slab used as a table top, tried to hide it, and refused to pay or replace. Arrived day one without a ladder to access roof & delayed a day. Left a mess in back yard; didn't wear face masks; no show by owner to property to see damages
Grants Tree Service - Marcia L.
I've hired Gary/Cherokee Roofing for two different homes, work quality, responsiveness, and completion have been great both times. And the prices quoted were very competitive. I would definitely hire again.
- Paul F.
Lyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
Lyle Environmental - Paul F.
Bradley Builders did a good job replacing the roof on our front porch. They color-matched the existing shingles on the rest of the house and installed a metal ridge roll since we live in a historical neighborhood. They did the job while we were out of town. When we got back, everything was...
Bradley Builders, Inc. - Madison B.
I would absolutely recommend this business. They offer a variety of services, including: painting, roofing, and refinishing wood flooring. I hired them to refinish the original hardwood flooring in my home built in 1874. The job was quite challenging, as the floors were extremely aged and...
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