What is a 4/12 roof slope
Emily Carr
Updated on April 20, 2026
A roof that rises 4 inches for every 1 foot or 12 inches of run is said to have a “4 in 12” slope. … The slope ratio represents a certain amount of vertical rise for every 12 inches of horizontal run. For example, a “4 in 12” slope can be expressed as the ratio of 4:12. A “6 in 12” slope is expressed as 6:12.
Is a 4/12 pitch roof steep?
OSHA defines a “steep roof” as any roof with a rise/run ratio over 4:12 (18.43 degrees).
What percentage is a 4/12 roof?
Roof Slope (Standard Roof Pitch)Roof Slope (Degrees)Roof Slope (Percentage)4:1218.43°33.33 %5:1222.62°41.67 %6:1226.57°50 %7:1230.26°58.33 %
How do you figure a 4/12 pitch roof?
On the roof, hold the level perfectly level, and measure the height from the roof to the level 12 inches away from where the level touches the surface; this will be the rise. For example, if the end of a level is 4″ above the roof at a point 12″ away from where it meets the surface, then the pitch is 4:12.What's the steepest roof pitch?
Steepest standard pitch A 9/12 roof pitch (36.37 degrees). is the steepest standard slope.
What angle do I cut for a 4 12 pitch?
Roof Pitch (slope)Roof Angle (degree)4:12 Pitch18.43°5:12 Pitch22.62°6:12 Pitch26.57°7:12 Pitch30.26°
Is 4/12 A good roof pitch?
As well, a slope of 4:12 is most commonly considered the lowest slope for “standard shingle installations”. Most manufacturer and industry recommendations require, or at the very least recommend, special underlayment or other considerations on roofs between 2:12 and 4:12.
What angle is a 4/12 roof?
What is roof pitch angle? So, the 4/12 roof pitch angle is about 18.4°.How long is a 4/12 pitch roof?
4/12 or “4 in 12” roof pitch or slope, generally roof rafter length will be 15.81 feet or 4.82m long for 30 feet span.
What is the ideal slope for a roof?For metal panel roof systems, NRCA recommends slopes of 1/2:12 or more for structural panel systems and 3:12 or more for architectural panel systems. For asphalt shingle, clay and concrete tile, metal shingle, slate and wood shake and shingle roof systems, NRCA recommends slopes of 4:12 or more.
Article first time published onHow do I determine the slope of my roof?
The pitch of your roof is determined by the measurement of the vertical rise by the horizontal run. That is to say, the roof pitch (expressed as a ratio) tells you how many inches the roof rises for every 12 inches of depth. So, let’s say a roof rises 6 inches for every 12 inches in depth towards the peak.
What is the rise on a 4/12 pitch?
What is a 4/12 roof pitch? A 4/12 is a roof slope that rises by 4 inches for every 12 inches across. 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.
What degree is a 4 pitch roof?
Roofs with a pitch of 4/12 are approximately 18.4 degrees, depending on how exact you’d like to be in your measurement. Check out our roof angle chart for more examples of the exact angles (expressed in degrees) of common roof pitches.
Is a 5/12 roof pitch steep?
The 5/12 or 5 on 12 roof pitch are most common types of residential roof pitch which are a sloping surfaces with an angle of usually 22.62° degrees steepness of a roof with it’s vertical rise of 5 inches over its 12″ or 1 foot horizontal distance or run in building construction.
What is the minimum slope for shingles?
The minimum roof pitch for shingles is a 2:12 pitch. If your roof is less than 2 vertical units (inches or feet) up for every 12 horizontal units out, it’s considered low slope.
How tall is a 4/12 truss?
A 4/12 (4 on 12) pitch means a rise of 4 units (vertical) for every 12 units of run (horizontal). So, assume that half the run is 10 feet (run = 20 feet), then the rise (peak height) is (4/12)x10 = 3.33 feet.
Is birdsmouth cut necessary?
A lot of force is transferred down the length of the rafter, and the seat cut on the birdsmouth transfers that force directly to the top plate. … In general, while the ripped-strip installation does eliminate the need to make two cuts for the birdsmouth, it’s debatable whether there are any real labor savings.
Is a truss roof cheaper than a cut roof?
When looking at the price differential of trussed rafters and loose timbers, a truss solution, although using smaller timber sections will generally, for the supply element, be slightly more expensive. … On the majority of structures, a Trussed Rafter roof will be more affordable than a site cut roof.
What size lumber are roof rafters?
You can use either 2×6 or 2×4 rafters for roofs with a 3/12 pitch or greater, but it depends on the overall size of your shed. For roofs that won’t experience heavy snow loads, a gable roof can span up to 22′ with 2×4 rafters.
What is a 12 12 roof pitch?
In this pitch, the first twelve is your roof’s rise and the second twelve is the roof’s run. … The roof’s incline increases 12 feet for every 12 feet of horizontal measurement.
What does a 2 12 roof pitch look like?
A 2/12 roof slope means your roof has 2 inches of vertical drop for every 12 inches of horizontal distance. Simply put, it’s a shallow roof. … A roof this shallow is likely to be found on a ranch house, a shed dormer or a porch.
Can you Shingle A 2 12 pitch roof?
While roofs with a 4/12 pitch and steeper are ideal, the minimum roof pitch for shingles is 2/12. A roof with a 2/12 pitch can safely use shingles by incorporating additional layers of underlayment around the eaves.
Can you Shingle a 1/12 pitch roof?
Asphalt shingles are not recommended for a flat roof, as shingles cannot be properly sealed if a roof has a pitch less than 2/12 inches, leading to water leaks.
Is a 3/12 roof pitch good?
Any roofs up to 3:12 are generally considered “low slope.” In the residential arena, we see lower slope roofs as part of the home’s architectural design. … Then, when you get into roofs of 3:12 or greater pitch, most other metal roofs can be used and that generally is the pitch requirement for asphalt shingles as well.