Roof slope geometry

Roof pitch calculator

Convert roof rise and run into X:12 pitch, angle, slope multiplier, and estimated sloped roof area.

Enter the roof rise and run

Use any matching small units for rise and run. Horizontal area is the building-footprint projection covered by the roof planes.

Units
Pitch and area

A conventional 6:12 roof rises 6 units for every 12 units of horizontal run. Do not use rafter length or roof-surface area as the run.

Formula

Roof pitch and slope formulas

pitch = rise ÷ run × 12
slope factor = √(rise² + run²) ÷ run
sloped area = projected area × slope factor

The sloped area does not include roofing waste. Send it to the roofing calculator to estimate squares and bundles with an appropriate allowance.

Measure safely

Avoid unnecessary roof access

Use plans, attic measurements, or safe ground-based methods when possible. Roof work presents serious fall hazards; use qualified professionals and appropriate protective systems.

Worked example

A 6:12 roof over a 1,600 ft² projection

Pitch6 ÷ 12 × 12 = 6:12

Anglearctan(6 ÷ 12) = 26.57°

Slope factor√(6² + 12²) ÷ 12 = 1.1180

Sloped area1,600 × 1.1180 = 1,788.9 ft² before waste

Pitch reference

Common roof pitches and slope factors

Multiply horizontal projected area by the slope factor
PitchAngleSlope factor
2:129.46°1.0138
4:1218.43°1.0541
6:1226.57°1.1180
8:1233.69°1.2019
10:1239.81°1.3017
12:1245.00°1.4142

The factor converts plan-view area to simple sloped-plane area. Measure dormers, intersecting roofs, and planes with different pitches separately.