These tools are for estimating and planning. They are not a substitute for a licensed professional.
Last updated 15 August 2026
Read this before you cut anything
Every calculator on pitchgauge.com is provided for general information and preliminary estimating. Nothing here is engineering advice, construction advice, legal advice or a code compliance determination. Always verify results against your local building code, the manufacturer’s installation instructions, and a qualified professional before you order materials, cut timber or begin work.
General information only
The content and tools on this site are published in good faith and for general information. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, about the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability or completeness of any result produced by a calculator or any information on the site.
Any reliance you place on this material is strictly at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss, damage, cost or injury arising from the use of this site, including material waste, mis-cut timber, failed inspections, rejected warranty claims, project delays or structural failure.
No professional relationship
Using this site does not create any professional, contractual or advisory relationship between you and PitchGauge. We are not your engineer, architect, surveyor, building inspector or contractor, and we cannot review your specific project.
Structural calculations
Several tools touch on structural matters, including rafter lengths, ridge heights, spans and snow loads. These outputs are preliminary estimates and must not be used as the basis for a structural design.
- The snow load tool estimates the balanced load only. It does not account for drift, sliding, unbalanced or rain-on-snow loads, any of which can govern a design and exceed the figure shown.
- Rafter and truss outputs give geometry, not capacity. They say nothing about whether a given member, species, grade or spacing can carry the load.
- Span, spacing and member sizing must come from an engineered design or an adopted span table for your jurisdiction.
Any structural work should be designed or reviewed by a licensed structural engineer.
Building codes and minimum slopes
Minimum slope figures on this site are drawn from the International Residential Code 2021, Chapter 9, and from BS 5534 for the United Kingdom tables. Codes are amended, adopted selectively and modified locally.
Your local code and the manufacturer’s written instructions always take precedence over anything published here. Installing a covering below its stated minimum slope may breach the code, void the product warranty and cause the roof to fail. Confirm requirements with your local building authority before you specify or install.
The pitch gauge
The gauge reads your device’s built-in orientation sensor. Accuracy depends on the hardware, calibration and how steadily you hold the phone, and is typically within about one degree. Treat it as a field measurement to be confirmed, not as a certified instrument reading. Take several readings in different places, and verify with a level or angle finder before committing to a material order or a cut list.
Working at height
Roof work is dangerous and falls are a leading cause of serious injury and death in construction. Nothing on this site should be read as encouragement to climb onto a roof.
Wherever possible, measure from inside the loft against a rafter, which gives the same pitch far more safely. If you must work at height, use proper fall protection, secure your ladder, and follow the safety regulations that apply where you are. You are responsible for your own safety and that of anyone working with you.
Cost estimates
The cost calculator produces a broad budget range using generalised rates. It is not a quote and does not reflect prices in your area. Actual costs vary enormously with regional labour rates, material availability, deck condition, flashing, chimneys, skylights, access, disposal and permits. Always obtain at least three written quotes from licensed contractors.
External links
This site may link to external websites that we do not control. We do not guarantee the accuracy, relevance or completeness of anything on those sites. A link is not an endorsement.
Affiliate disclosure
Some outbound product links may be affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. This never affects which products we mention. We recommend tools on their merits, and we do not accept payment for a favourable mention.
Advertising
The site may display third-party advertising to cover running costs. We do not control which ads appear and their presence is not an endorsement of the advertiser or its products.
Limitation of liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, PitchGauge and its contributors exclude all liability for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or special loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of this site or reliance on its content, whether in contract, tort, negligence or otherwise.
Consent
By using pitchgauge.com you accept this disclaimer and agree to its terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.
Questions
If anything here is unclear, or you believe a figure on the site is wrong, write to collaborationdesk@gmail.com. We take corrections seriously and act on them quickly.