Roof pitch calculator: angle, ratio & multiplier
Enter rise and run — or the roof angle — to get the pitch in X/12 form, the angle in degrees, and the pitch multiplier for converting footprint to true roof area.
Measurements
Measure rise over a 12" run with a level, or enter the angle.
Vertical drop measured from the 12-inch mark on your level down to the roof.
Horizontal distance — keep the default 12 for a standard pitch reading.
6/12
Roof pitch
26.6°
Roof angle
The numbers
- Pitch multiplier (footprint → roof area)
- 1.118
- Slope
- 50.0%
- Category
- Conventional
4/12–6/12 — standard walkable pitch; no steep charges apply.
Working an insurance claim? Pitches of 7/12 and up qualify for steep-slope charges — a separate line item adjusters routinely miss. Photograph a pitch gauge on every plane and check the scope against the Xactimate supplement list.
Roof pitch chart: angle & multiplier for every pitch
Degrees and pitch multipliers for standard pitches. Multiply the building footprint by the multiplier to get true roof surface area.
Once you have the pitch, get material counts with the roof shingle calculator or ballpark the job with the roof replacement cost calculator. Not sure what a "square" is? Roofing squares explained.
Frequently asked questions
The classic method: set a level horizontally against the roof surface (or a rafter in the attic), measure 12 inches out along the level, then measure straight down from the 12-inch mark to the roof. That vertical measurement in inches is your pitch — 5 inches means a 5/12 pitch. From the ground, you can also measure rise and run off a gable-end photo, or use a smartphone level app on a ladder at the eave.