How To Figure Out Roof Pitch With Speed 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.

How to figure out roof pitch with speed square.

Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. 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. As aforementioned there is no standard pitch of a roof. Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level.

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. Leah answers a viewer s question about how to calculate the pitch of a roof on a structure. Marvel at your mathematical. Divide the first part of the ratio by 12 to work out the pitch.

It is often compared to slope but is not exactly the same. Check your results with the omni roof pitch calculator. To accurately calculate the area of your roof you must first determine its slope or pitch. Thus a moderate 6 in 12 roof pitch means that the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches it runs.

A speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. Roof pitch is the measurement of a roof s vertical rise divided by its horizontal run. Leah s recommended tools for beginner diy ers. A roof s pitch is determined by how much it rises vertically for every foot it runs horizontally.

Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square. To convert between american roofing ratios and pitch degrees follow these steps. Place the pivot point against the shingles. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters.

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