DIY Roof Pitch Finder

Pitch, or slope, is defined as the vertical change in height in a 1-foot horizontal space. This measurement is used to determine the steepness of a roof. Roofs with pitches of more than 7 1/2 inches are said to be steep, while pitches of less than 3 1/2 inches are said to be slight. A moderate pitch is anything in between. Roofs with pitches of less than 1 inch are said to be flat. Measuring the pitch of a roof requires a couple basic carpentry tools.

Things You'll Need

• 4-foot carpenter's level
• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Hold the end of a 4-foot carpenter’s level against the end of the roof. Elevate by hand the other end of the level until the bubble shows level.

2. Measure the distance between the elevated end of the level and the roof with a tape measure.

3. Divide that measurement by 4 to determine the amount of pitch to the roof. For example, if the measurement taken at the end of the level is 16 inches, the pitch of the roof is 4 inches for every horizontal foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a 24-inch carpenter's level in much the same way. Divide the distance between the end of the level and the roof by 2 to determine the pitch of the roof.

• Measuring the pitch of a roof requires working on the roof. Use the proper ladders or scaffolding to gain access to the roof and work carefully, especially on steep roofs.

References

• Millersville University: Roof Pitch
• Auburn University: Slope and More