Roofing Calculator
Calculate roof pitch, slope, area, and material estimates with live visual diagrams and material recommendations.
Drag to See Any Pitch in Real-Time
Grab the roof peak or use the sliders to visualize any pitch and angle instantly.
Interactive Roof Pitch
StandardDrag the roof peak or use sliders. See pitch angle, slope, and materials update in real-time.
Pitch
6.0:12
Angle
26.6°
Slope
50.0%
Factor
×1.118
6.0:12 — Asphalt shingles (most popular), architectural shingles, or wood shakes. Standard residential pitch range.
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📐Rafter Length Calculator
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💰Replacement Cost Calculator
Price estimates for 11 roofing materials
✏️Draw Your Roof
Trace your roof outline on a grid to measure area
How to Measure Roof Pitch
From the Roof
Place a level horizontally on the roof. Measure 12 inches along the level, then measure the vertical distance from the end of the level down to the roof surface. That vertical distance is your rise.
From the Attic
Find a roof rafter in the attic. Hold a level horizontally against the bottom of the rafter. Measure 12 inches along the level, then measure the vertical distance up to the rafter. That's your rise per 12 inches of run.
With a Speed Square
Hold a speed square against the rafter with the pivot point at the bottom edge. Read the angle directly from the degree scale on the square. Enter that angle into our calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Pitch
- What is roof pitch?
- Roof pitch describes the slope or angle of a roof. It's expressed as a ratio of rise (vertical height) to run (horizontal distance), typically in the X:12 format. For example, a 6:12 pitch means the roof rises 6 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal distance.
- What is a standard roof pitch?
- In the US, standard residential roof pitches range from 4:12 to 9:12. The most common pitch is 4:12 to 6:12 for typical homes. In the UK, steeper pitches of 40-50 degrees are more common. A 6:12 pitch (26.6 degrees) is considered ideal for most climates.
- How do I measure roof pitch?
- You can measure roof pitch three ways: (1) From the roof: place a level horizontally, measure 12 inches, then measure the vertical rise. (2) From the attic: measure along a rafter. (3) Using a speed square: hold it against the rafter and read the angle directly.
- What roof pitch is walkable?
- Roofs with a pitch of 6:12 (26.6 degrees) or less are generally considered walkable. Pitches between 7:12 and 10:12 require caution and roof jacks. Anything steeper than 10:12 (39.8 degrees) requires scaffolding or specialized equipment.
- What is the minimum roof pitch for shingles?
- The minimum pitch for standard asphalt shingles is 4:12 (18.4 degrees). Some manufacturers make special low-slope shingles rated for 2:12 pitches. Below 2:12, you need flat roof materials like TPO, EPDM, or built-up roofing (BUR).
- How does roof pitch affect cost?
- Steeper roofs cost 20-30% more to install due to increased labor time, safety equipment needs, and more materials. A 12:12 pitch roof has about 41% more surface area than a flat roof of the same footprint, requiring proportionally more materials.