1. What is Slope Percentage?

Slope percentage is a measure of the steepness or incline of a surface, expressed as a percentage. It represents the vertical rise per 100 units of horizontal run, making it easy to understand and compare different slopes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the slope percentage formula:

Where:

• \( Rise \) — Vertical distance (height difference)
• \( Run \) — Horizontal distance
• \( 100 \) — Conversion factor to percentage

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of vertical change to horizontal distance and converts it to a percentage by multiplying by 100.

3. Importance of Slope Calculation

Details: Slope percentage is crucial in construction, civil engineering, landscaping, road design, and accessibility planning. It helps determine if slopes are safe for vehicles, pedestrians, or construction.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both rise and run values in the same units (feet in this case). Ensure both values are positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered a steep slope?
A: Generally, slopes above 15% are considered steep, while slopes above 25% may require special engineering considerations.

Q2: How is slope percentage different from slope ratio?
A: Slope ratio is expressed as rise:run (e.g., 1:4), while slope percentage converts this ratio to a percentage (e.g., 25%).

Q3: What slope percentage is ADA compliant?
A: ADA requires slopes for ramps to be no steeper than 8.33% (1:12 ratio) for maximum accessibility.

Q4: Can I use different units for rise and run?
A: No, both values must be in the same units for the calculation to be accurate. The calculator uses feet, but you can convert other units to feet first.

Q5: What does a 100% slope mean?
A: A 100% slope means the rise equals the run, creating a 45-degree angle. The vertical and horizontal distances are equal.