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 divided by the horizontal run, multiplied by 100 to convert to percentage form.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the slope percentage formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates the ratio of vertical change to horizontal distance and expresses it as a percentage for easy interpretation.

3. Importance of Slope Calculation

Details: Slope percentage calculations are essential in civil engineering, construction, landscaping, road design, and accessibility planning. They help determine gradient suitability for various applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter rise and run values in meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the slope percentage automatically.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How does slope percentage relate to degrees?
A: Slope percentage can be converted to degrees using the formula: degrees = arctan(slope%/100). A 100% slope equals 45 degrees.

Q3: What are typical slope percentages for roads?
A: Main roads typically have maximum slopes of 6-8%, while local roads may go up to 12%. Steeper slopes require special design considerations.

Q4: Can I use different units for rise and run?
A: Yes, as long as both rise and run use the same units (feet, meters, etc.), the slope percentage calculation remains valid.

Q5: What slope percentage is wheelchair accessible?
A: ADA guidelines recommend maximum slopes of 5% for accessible routes, with 8.33% as the absolute maximum for very short distances.