1. What is Slope Percentage?

Slope percentage is a way to express the steepness of a slope as a percentage. It represents the vertical rise per 100 units of horizontal run, making it easier to understand and compare slopes in various applications like construction, road design, and landscaping.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the slope percentage formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Rise} \) — Vertical distance or elevation change
• \( \text{Run} \) — Horizontal distance
• \( \times 100 \) — Conversion 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 for proper drainage, in road design for safety standards, in accessibility planning for ramps, and in landscaping for erosion control and water management.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter rise and run values in the same units (feet, meters, inches, etc.). Run must be greater than zero. The calculator will output the slope as a percentage.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I convert ratio to percentage?
A: For a ratio like 1:12, divide 1 by 12 and multiply by 100 to get the percentage (8.33%).

Q2: What is a typical slope for wheelchair ramps?
A: ADA standards recommend a maximum slope of 8.33% (1:12 ratio) for wheelchair ramps.

Q3: How does slope percentage relate to degrees?
A: Slope percentage = tan(angle in degrees) × 100. For example, 45° slope = 100% slope.

Q4: What's considered a steep slope?
A: Generally, slopes above 25% are considered steep, while slopes above 40% are very steep and may require special engineering.

Q5: Can I use different units for rise and run?
A: No, rise and run must be in the same units since the calculation is a ratio that cancels out the units.