1. What Is Slope Gradient?

Slope gradient represents the steepness or incline of a surface, expressed as a percentage. It indicates how much elevation changes over a horizontal distance and is commonly used in civil engineering, construction, and geography.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the mathematical formula:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angle of inclination in degrees
• \( \tan \) — Trigonometric tangent function
• 100 — Conversion factor to percentage

Explanation: The tangent of an angle in a right triangle represents the ratio of opposite side (rise) to adjacent side (run). Multiplying by 100 converts this ratio to a percentage gradient.

3. Importance Of Gradient Calculation

Details: Accurate gradient calculation is essential for road design, drainage systems, wheelchair accessibility ramps, roof construction, and determining safe slopes for various applications.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter the angle in degrees (0-89.9°). The calculator will compute the corresponding gradient percentage. For example, a 45° angle equals 100% gradient.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between gradient and angle?
A: Angle is measured in degrees, while gradient is the ratio expressed as a percentage. A 45° angle equals 100% gradient.

Q2: What gradient is considered steep?
A: Gradients above 15% are generally considered steep for vehicles, while gradients above 8.33% (1:12) are maximum for wheelchair ramps.

Q3: How do I convert gradient back to angle?
A: Use the formula: θ = arctan(gradient/100). For example, 50% gradient = arctan(0.5) ≈ 26.57°.

Q4: What is the maximum possible gradient?
A: Theoretically, as angle approaches 90°, gradient approaches infinity. Practically, most applications use angles below 60°.

Q5: Where is gradient calculation commonly used?
A: Road construction, railway design, hiking trail planning, architectural design, and geological surveys.