Gradient Calculator
Calculate slope, grade percentage, angle, and elevation change. Perfect for construction, landscaping, and terrain analysis.
Gradient Results
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Summary
Gradient Reference Table
| Angle (°) | Grade (%) | Ratio (Rise:Run) | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0° | 0% | 0:100 | Flat surface |
| 0.5° | 0.9% | 1:114 | Very gentle slope |
| 1° | 1.7% | 1:57 | Gentle slope |
| 2° | 3.5% | 1:28 | Road gradient |
| 5° | 8.7% | 1:11 | Steep road |
| 10° | 17.6% | 1:6 | Steep drive |
| 15° | 26.8% | 1:4 | Very steep |
| 20° | 36.4% | 1:3 | Extreme slope |
| 30° | 57.7% | 1:1.7 | Extreme |
| 45° | 100% | 1:1 | Steepest |
Step-by-Step Solution
Enter values and click "Calculate Gradient" to see the step-by-step solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gradient?
Gradient (also called slope) measures how steep a surface is. It's the ratio of vertical change (rise) to horizontal distance (run). It can be expressed as a percentage, ratio, or angle.
How do you calculate gradient?
The basic formula is: Gradient = Rise ÷ Run
- Percentage: (Rise ÷ Run) × 100%
- Ratio: Rise:Run
- Angle: arctan(Rise ÷ Run)
What is a 10% gradient?
A 10% gradient means for every 100 units of horizontal distance, the elevation rises 10 units. It's equivalent to about 5.7 degrees of slope.
How steep is a 1:10 gradient?
A 1:10 gradient means for every 1 unit of rise, there are 10 units of run. This equals 10% grade (1 ÷ 10 = 0.10 = 10%) or about 5.7 degrees.
What is a good gradient for a driveway?
Typical driveway gradients:
- Ideal: 5-8% (gentle slope)
- Acceptable: 8-12%
- Maximum: 15-20% (requires careful design)
- ADA accessible: 8.33% max
What is the gradient of a roof?
Roof gradients are typically expressed as a ratio (rise:run). Common roof pitches:
- 4:12: 4" rise per 12" run (33.3% - steep)
- 6:12: 6" rise per 12" run (50% - standard)
- 8:12: 8" rise per 12" run (66.7% - very steep)
How do you convert percentage grade to degrees?
Use the formula: Angle = arctan(Percentage ÷ 100)
For example, 10% grade = arctan(0.10) = 5.71°
What is the maximum gradient for a road?
Maximum road gradients vary by road type:
- Highway: Typically 6% maximum
- Local road: 10-12% maximum
- Residential street: 15% maximum
- ADA ramp: 8.33% maximum