On blue prints architects engineers usually display the pitch of a roof in the format shown on the image where number 4 represents a rise and number 12 represents a length.
Roof slope 1 4 over 12.
Generally such roofs have a pitch ranging from 1 2 12 to 2 12.
Slope conversion tables 1 4 1 2 3 4 1 1 1 4 1 1 2 1 3 4 2 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 0 25 0 50 0 75 1 00 1 25 1 50 1 75 2 00 2 25 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10.
This forms an angle of 18 5 between the horizontal section and the roof and creates a gentle incline that is seen as a midpoint between a low pitch and medium pitch roof.
A 4 12 is a roof slope that rises by 4 inches for every 12 inches across.
For every 12 horizontal feet the roof changes 8 feet in vertical height.
Simply locate a roof rafter board place the end of the level against the bottom edge and measure from the 12 inch mark vertically to the bottom edge of the rafter.
Conventional roofs are the easiest to construct and you can walk on them safely.
A pitch over 9 12 is considered a steep slope roof between 2 12 and 4 12 is considered a low slope roof and less than 2 12 is considered a flat roof.
The table below shows common roof pitches and the equivalent grade degrees and radians for each.
For example if you measure 4 inches the pitch of your roof is 4 12.
Most roof s have a pitch in the 4 12 to 9 12 range.
This means if a roof rises 4 in the length of 12 your roof pitch would be 4 12 or 18 43 degrees.
Image 1 12 to 12 12 roof pitch 7 12 pitch.
A roof that rises 4 inches for every 1 foot or 12 inches of run is said to have a 4 in 12 slope.
Low pitched roofs are generally difficult to maintain and you need special materials to prevent leaks.
If the rise is 6 inches for every 12 inches of run then the roof slope is 6 in 12 the slope can be expressed numerically as a ratio.
These roofs have a pitch less than 4 12.
Examples of extreme slopes range from 1 4 12 almost flat to 12 12 sloping down at a perfect 45 degree angle.
1 12 roof pitch angle 4 76 degrees.
This will give you the rise over run or pitch.
For most home styles roof pitches fall in a range 4 12 a moderate slope up to 8 12 fairly steep.
Roof pitch degree table.
High and low pitch examples.