— — Free Tool
Roof Pitch Calculator
Convert between rise/run, degrees, and percent slope instantly. With a visual reference, common Florida pitch examples, and what each pitch means for your roof.
Pitch converter
Multiply your home's footprint sqft by this number to get actual roof surface area (for shingle/material ordering).
6.0/12 pitch
Common pitches you'll see
in Lake County
Click any pitch to load it into the calculator above. Each has different implications for material choice, install cost, and what code requires.
Why we say "X over 12"
Roof pitch is always expressed as rise over run, with the run pinned at 12 inches. So a "6/12 pitch" means the roof rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 inches you travel horizontally.
Why 12? It's standard. Roofing squares (one square = 100 sqft of roof surface), shingle bundles, and underlayment rolls are all sized assuming this measurement. Quoting a roof in degrees would be technically correct but no one in the trade does it that way.
Why your pitch matters
- →Material choice. Below 2/12, shingles can't seal. You need a membrane (TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, or coating).
- →Material quantity. A steeper roof has more surface area per footprint. Use the slope multiplier above to estimate actual surface.
- →Labor cost. Above 7/12, crews need toe boards / roof brackets. Above 10/12, full fall-protection. Both add cost.
- →Florida wind code. Steeper roofs catch more wind. FBC requires more uplift fasteners on steeper pitches in Lake County's wind zone.
- →Drainage. Steeper sheds water faster. Below 4/12, enhanced underlayment (peel-and-stick) is recommended for FL hurricane season.
Wondering what pitch your roof actually is? We'll measure it free.
Our inspectors use a digital pitch gauge on every visit. Free, no obligation. We'll also tell you exactly what materials your pitch supports under Florida code.