How To Figure Out Roof Pitch With Speed Square

A speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof.

How to figure out roof pitch with speed square.

Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. To convert between american roofing ratios and pitch degrees follow these steps. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square. A 12 12 pitch roof has a pitch angle of 45.

Thus a moderate 6 in 12 roof pitch means that the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches it runs. Divide the first part of the ratio by 12 to work out the pitch. Express roof pitch as the ratio of the amount of the vertical rise of a roof or rise over the corresponding horizontal distance or run you write the pitch assuming a run of 12 inches thus the ratio would describe how much a roof rises for each foot of the run. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters.

Place the pivot point against the shingles. Leah s recommended tools for beginner diy ers. Leah answers a viewer s question about how to calculate the pitch of a roof on a structure. Roof pitch is the measurement of a roof s vertical rise divided by its horizontal run.

In the united states a run of 12 inches 1 foot is used and pitch is measured as the rise of the roof over 12 inches. A roof s pitch is determined by how much it rises vertically for every foot it runs horizontally. To accurately calculate the area of your roof you must first determine its slope or pitch. As aforementioned there is no standard pitch of a roof.

Because of its compact size it is frequently used as a saw guide when cutting framing members as well as a layout tool for quick 45 and 90 degree cuts. Marvel at your mathematical. Find the inverse tangent of the pitch to find the angle in degrees. Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level.

Check your results with the omni roof pitch calculator.