How To Figure Out Roof Pitch With Speed Square

Find the inverse tangent of the pitch to find the angle in degrees.

How to figure out roof pitch with speed square.

The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters. Marvel at your mathematical. To convert between american roofing ratios and pitch degrees follow these steps. Leah answers a viewer s question about how to calculate the pitch of a roof on a structure.

Check your results with the omni roof pitch calculator. 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. 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. A speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof.

Divide the first part of the ratio by 12 to work out the pitch. Place the pivot point against the shingles. It is often compared to slope but is not exactly the same. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square.

As aforementioned there is no standard pitch of a roof. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1. Set the level on the edge of the speed square as shown below then place the heel of the speed square on a rafter or gable edge of the roof. A 12 12 pitch roof has a pitch angle of 45.

Leah s recommended tools for beginner diy ers. To accurately calculate the area of your roof you must first determine its slope or pitch. Roof pitch is the measurement of a roof s vertical rise divided by its horizontal run. Thus a moderate 6 in 12 roof pitch means that the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches it runs.

Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level.