How To Find The Pitch Of A Roof Using A Speed Square

The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters.

How to find the pitch of a roof using a speed square.

Because of its compact size it is frequently used as a saw guide when cutting framing members as well as a layout tool for quick 45 and 90 degree cuts. To find the pitch just place the pivot point against the shingles. The pitch tells you the amount of vertical rise in inches for every 12 in. Simply move the pivot point against the edge of your board lining up the edge of the board with your desired angle.

With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1. Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. Set the level on the edge of the speed square as shown below then place the heel of the speed square on a rafter or gable edge of the roof. Read this number along the inches scale at the top of the framing square.

As a matter of fact finding the pitch of a roof was the motivating factor for how this tool was invented in the first place hence it s official name the rafter square. A speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. Using a speed square as a try square the 90 degree right angle leading out from the pivot and the lip makes quickly and accurately finding right angles a no brainer. As aforementioned there is no standard pitch of a roof.

A 6 inch rise per foot.