1. What Is Slope Percentage?

Slope percentage is a measure of the steepness of a slope, calculated as the ratio of vertical change (rise) to horizontal change (run) multiplied by 100 to express it as a percentage. It's commonly used in construction, engineering, and accessibility planning.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the slope percentage formula:

Where:

• \( \text{rise} \) — Vertical change/difference (in consistent units)
• \( \text{run} \) — Horizontal change/distance (in consistent units)
• \( 100 \) — Conversion factor to percentage

Explanation: The formula calculates the incline of a surface as a percentage, which represents how many units the surface rises for every 100 units of horizontal distance.

3. Importance Of Slope Calculation

Details: Slope percentage is crucial for designing accessible ramps (typically limited to 8.33% for ADA compliance), road construction, drainage systems, and ensuring safety in various construction projects.

4. Using The Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the maximum slope for wheelchair accessibility?
A: ADA guidelines recommend a maximum slope of 1:12 ratio, which equals approximately 8.33% slope.

Q2: How does slope percentage relate to angle in degrees?
A: Slope percentage = tan(angle) × 100. A 45° angle equals a 100% slope.

Q3: Can slope percentage be greater than 100%?
A: Yes, slopes greater than 100% indicate an incline greater than 45 degrees.

Q4: What's considered a steep slope?
A: Generally, slopes above 30-40% are considered steep, but this varies by context and application.

Q5: How is slope percentage used in civil engineering?
A: It's used in road design, landscaping, drainage planning, and ensuring compliance with building codes and accessibility standards.