How to use this calculator
- Enter Rise in in.
- Enter Run in in.
- Press Calculate. The highlighted row is your order quantity; the note beneath it translates the number into real-world terms.
Formula & constants
Pitch is rise per 12 in of run. Angle = arctan(rise/12); multiplier = √(1 + (rise/12)²). A 6:12 roof is 26.6° with a 1.118 area multiplier. Every default in the fields above is editable — when your supplier’s spec sheet lists a different density, coverage rate or price, enter that number instead. The waste and compaction allowances follow common trade practice; see our methodology page for the derivation of each formula and the standards it references.
Where this fits in the project
Roof takeoffs start from the footprint corrected by pitch: get true area from the roof square footage calculator, convert to squares, then to shingle bundles or metal panels. Size gutters from the same perimeter measurement.
How this connects to your project
No quantity stands alone — each material in the chain depends on the ones around it. These are the planning steps that pair with the roof pitch calculator:
- Roofing Calculator — Pitch factor is used in roofing area calculations.
- Roof Square Footage Calculator — Pitch multiplier converts footprint to roof area.
- Shingle Calculator — Steeper pitch increases shingle waste factor.
- Roof Truss Calculator — Roof pitch determines truss design and height.
- Roofing Cost Calculator — Steeper roofs cost more to install.
- Metal Roofing Calculator — Some metal panels have minimum pitch requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure pitch on an existing roof?
Level held horizontal at the rake: measure 12 in along it, then vertical distance down to the roof — that’s rise per 12.
What pitch do shingles require?
Asphalt shingles need 2:12 minimum (with special underlayment 2–4:12); below that, use membrane roofing.
Last verified: — prices reflect current national averages. See our methodology.
Estimates are for planning. Material densities, coverage rates and prices vary by region and supplier — confirm final quantities before ordering, and check local code where structural or electrical work is involved.