How To Determine Roof Pitch With A Speed Square

The pitch can also be measured if only a level mark can be made.

How to determine roof pitch with a speed square.

Find the inverse tangent of the pitch to find the angle in degrees. Measure with a speed square a speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. Often you express roof pitch as the ratio between the rise and the run in the form of x 12.

A 12 12 pitch roof has a pitch angle of 45. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters. Measure the vertical distance from roof to level. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square.

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. Check your results with the omni roof pitch calculator. Hold the 0 mark of the tape measure against the roof. You can assess this in two ways either as the roof pitch angles which the rafters make with the horizontal or the proportion between the run and the rise of the roof.

Leah answers a viewer s question about how to calculate the pitch of a roof on a structure. Marvel at your mathematical. Leah s recommended tools for beginner diy ers. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1.

Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level. To convert between american roofing ratios and pitch degrees follow these steps. Measure the roof pitch with a speed square. Divide the first part of the ratio by 12 to work out the pitch.

Place the pivot point against the shingles. Use the torpedo level to make a plumb mark on the straightedge. Place the straightedge on the shingles in a direction perpendicular to the gutter. Extend it upward so it is perpendicular to the level.