Roof Pitch Chart
Every common residential pitch with its angle, slope percentage and pitch multiplier — drawn to scale so you can see how the profile changes. Values below are computed by the same engine that powers our calculators.
Pitch Profiles, Drawn to Scale
Full Roof Pitch Conversion Table
The pitch multiplier column is what you multiply the footprint area by to get the actual roof surface area. 6/12 is highlighted as the most common US residential pitch.
| Pitch (X/12) | Degrees | % Slope | Pitch Multiplier | Category | Common Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/12 | 4.76° | 8.3% | 1.003 | Flat | Commercial membrane, TPO, EPDM |
| 2/12 | 9.46° | 16.7% | 1.014 | Low-slope | Shed roofs, carports, extensions |
| 3/12 | 14.04° | 25% | 1.031 | Low-slope | Garages, porch roofs, low dormers |
| 4/12 | 18.43° | 33.3% | 1.054 | Conventional | Ranch homes, minimum for asphalt shingles |
| 5/12 | 22.62° | 41.7% | 1.083 | Conventional | Common US suburban residential |
| 6/12 | 26.57° | 50% | 1.118 | Conventional | Most popular US pitch nationwide |
| 7/12 | 30.26° | 58.3% | 1.158 | Conventional | New England, Midwest residential |
| 8/12 | 33.69° | 66.7% | 1.202 | Steep-slope | Colonial, Tudor, craftsman styles |
| 9/12 | 36.87° | 75% | 1.250 | Steep-slope | High-snow regions, Victorian homes |
| 10/12 | 39.81° | 83.3% | 1.302 | Steep-slope | A-frame, chalet, heavy snow areas |
| 11/12 | 42.51° | 91.7% | 1.357 | Steep-slope | Steep residential, tall colonials |
| 12/12 | 45.00° | 100% | 1.414 | Steep-slope | A-frame, architectural statement |
| 14/12 | 49.40° | 116.7% | 1.537 | Very steep | Towers, decorative steep gables |
| 18/12 | 56.31° | 150% | 1.803 | Very steep | Gambrel lower sections, steep barns |
How to Read This Chart
A pitch of X/12 means the roof rises X inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run. The categories group pitches the way roofers talk about them: low-slope (3/12 and below) needs special underlayment or membrane systems; conventional (4/12–7/12) suits standard asphalt shingles; steep-slope (8/12 and up) needs extra fastening, staging and waste allowance.
To calculate a pitch that's not in the table, use the Roof Pitch Calculator — or learn how the numbers are derived in How to Calculate Roof Pitch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common roof pitch?
6/12 is the most common residential pitch in the US — steep enough to shed water and snow well, walkable for professionals, and efficient with materials.
What pitch do I need for asphalt shingles?
Most manufacturers rate standard asphalt shingles for 4/12 and above; 2/12–4/12 requires double underlayment or special low-slope application, and below 2/12 shingles are not permitted — use a membrane system.
How much more shingles does a steeper roof need?
Multiply footprint by the pitch multiplier: a 6/12 roof has 11.8% more surface than its footprint, a 10/12 roof has 30.2% more. The multiplier column above gives the exact factor for each pitch.
Sources & Methodology
- International Residential Code (IRC) — Chapter 9, Roof Assemblies — minimum roof slope, roof covering and flashing requirements for one- and two-family dwellings
- NRCA — National Roofing Contractors Association, Roofing Manual: Steep-slope Roof Systems — industry-standard roof geometry, roofing square and installation conventions
Formulas, assumptions and rounding rules: Methodology · Last updated: September 2026 · Calculation Engine: p1-v1 · Published by the RoofCalcWorks Editorial Team.