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Tools / Roof pitch calculator (degrees, %, rafter length)

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Roof pitch calculator: degrees, percent, rafter length

Enter the roof pitch in degrees, percent or as a ratio, plus half the building width and the overhang. You get all units, the ridge height and the rafter length.

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Pitch
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Pure geometry: percent = tan(α) × 100, ratio 1 : x with x = cot(α), height = run × tan(α), rafter = (run + overhang) ÷ cos(α). Lengths are along the top edge of the rafter without ridge and eaves cuts – check the planning documents and the roofing manufacturer's minimum pitch.

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🔒 Runs entirely in your browser – nothing you enter is uploaded or stored.

How to use it

  1. Choose the unit and enter the roof pitch.
  2. Enter half the building width (horizontal run) and the horizontal overhang.
  3. Read degrees, percent, ratio, tan/cot, ridge height and rafter length.
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Last checked: October 2026 · Based on: Trigonometry; minimum roof pitch per manufacturer / roofing trade rules. Found a mistake? Use the form below – we fix confirmed errors and update the date.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert roof pitch from degrees to percent?

Percent = tan(angle) × 100. Example: 45° = 100 %, 30° ≈ 57.7 %, 10° ≈ 17.6 %.

What does a ratio like 1:2 mean?

1 unit of rise per 2 units of horizontal run – that is 50 % or about 26.6°. The second number is the cotangent of the angle.

How is the rafter length calculated?

Rafter length = horizontal length ÷ cos(pitch). Add the horizontal overhang to the run before dividing.

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