How To Check Roof Pitch

Some carpenters consider it more correct to use the term slope for the steepness and use pitch to describe the roof s overall dimensions.

How to check roof pitch.

Simply mark a level at 12 hold it perfectly level and measure from the roof surface to your 12 mark this. This is the amount your roof inclines in a 1 foot span or the pitch of your roof. Then in the attic place the end of the level against the bottom of a roof rafter and hold it perfectly level. First measure 12 inches from one end of the level and make a mark.

The example to right shows 2 different ways to determine or calculate roof pitch also called roof slope. The 7 means that the roof rises 7 for every 12 it runs. Place the end of your level the 0 inch point of your 12 marking against the roof surface. Check your results with the omni roof pitch calculator.

Example a the measurements are taken from on top of the roof. A 12 12 pitch roof has a pitch angle of 45. Marvel at your mathematical. Find the inverse tangent of the pitch to find the angle in degrees.

Divide the first part of the ratio by 12 to work out the pitch. To measure the roof pitch you ll need an 18 or 24 inch level a tape measure and a pencil. Most people use it to mean the steepness of the roof. Hold the level straight and level bubble centered and then measure the vertical distance down from the your 12 mark on the level down to the roof.