Roof Pitch Calculator
Calculate roof pitch, rise, run, angle, roof surface area, and material needs for shingles, metal panels, underlayment, and more.
Roof pitch calculator
Switch between pitch, rise, and run calculations for rafters, framing, and roofing estimates.
Pitch
6.00:12
Angle
26.57°
Description
Moderate roof pitch
Roof area and material estimator
Estimate total roof surface area from the building footprint and pitch, then convert it into common roofing materials.
Footprint area
1,120.00 sq ft
Pitch multiplier
1.118
Roof area
1,252.20 sq ft
Material estimate
37.57 bundles
Typical rule of thumb is 3 bundles per 100 sq ft of roof surface.
Pitch diagram
A simple right triangle shows how rise and run create the roof angle.
Common roof pitch reference
Use this table to compare common slopes and their approximate angles.
| Pitch | Angle | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2:12 | 9.46° | Flat |
| 3:12 | 14.04° | Low slope |
| 4:12 | 18.43° | Low slope |
| 5:12 | 22.62° | Moderate |
| 6:12 | 26.57° | Moderate |
| 7:12 | 30.26° | Moderate |
| 8:12 | 33.69° | Steep |
| 9:12 | 36.87° | Steep |
| 10:12 | 39.81° | Steep |
| 11:12 | 42.51° | Steep |
| 12:12 | 45.00° | Steep |
How to Use
- Choose whether you want to calculate pitch, rise, or run.
- Enter the known measurements, such as rise and run or pitch and run.
- Review the instant result for pitch ratio, angle, or framing measurement.
- Use the roof area section to estimate total surface area from your building footprint and pitch.
- Select a material type to convert roof area into a quick purchase estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 6:12 roof pitch mean?
A 6:12 roof pitch means the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 inches of horizontal run. It is one of the most common residential roof pitches and creates an angle of about 26.57 degrees.
How do you convert roof pitch to degrees?
Convert pitch to degrees by taking the arctangent of rise divided by run. For example, a 6:12 pitch is arctan(6/12), which equals about 26.57 degrees.
Why is roof area larger than the building footprint?
Because a sloped roof has more surface area than the flat area below it. The steeper the roof pitch, the larger the roof area compared with the building footprint.
How accurate are roofing material estimates?
They are useful planning estimates, but real projects should also account for valleys, dormers, waste, ridge caps, starter strips, and manufacturer-specific coverage rates.