The Roof Cost Guide
Pitch Tool

Roof Pitch Calculator

Roof pitch (also called slope) is the steepness of your roof, typically expressed as a ratio like "6/12" (6 inches of rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run).

Knowing your roof pitch is important because it affects material requirements, impacts labor costs (steeper = more expensive), determines which roofing materials are suitable, and is needed for accurate cost estimates.

Reviewed by The Roof Cost Guide Editorial TeamLast updated May 2026

Enter Your Measurements

Vertical distance the roof rises

Horizontal distance (typically 12 inches)

Standard pitch notation uses 12 inches as the run. A "6/12" pitch means 6 inches of rise per 12 inches of run.

Your Roof Pitch Results

Pitch6.0/12
Angle26.6°
Slope Factor1.12
CategoryStandard

What This Means:

This is the most common residential roof pitch. Most roofing materials work well, and installation costs are moderate.

How to Measure Roof Pitch Yourself

  1. Use a level and measuring tape
  2. Place the level horizontally against a rafter in your attic
  3. Measure 12 inches along the level
  4. Measure vertically from the 12-inch mark to the rafter
  5. That vertical measurement is your "rise" (the first number in X/12)

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