Calculating Angles (Pitches) and Lengths of Right Triangles

Use the table and the four calculators below to solve any right triangle.
In all four sheets, edit only the cells in yellow.
To return to the Construction Volunteer How-To article about this spreadsheet, click
Second
angle
45
42.51
40
39.81
36.87
35
33.69
30.26
30
26.57
25
22.62
20
18.43
15
14.04
10
9.46
5
4.76

Third
angle
45
47.49
50
50.19
53.13
55
56.31
59.74
60
63.43
65
67.38
70
71.57
75
75.96
80
80.54
85
85.24

Hypotenuse
16.97
16.28
15.66
15.62
15
14.65
14.42
13.89
13.86
13.42
13.24
13
12.77
12.65
12.42
12.37
12.19
12.17
12.05
12.04

Slope
1.0000
0.9167
0.8391
0.8333
0.7500
0.7002
0.6667
0.5833
0.5774
0.5000
0.4663
0.4167
0.3640
0.3333
0.2679
0.2500
0.1763
0.1667
0.0875
0.0833

Rise
over 12
12
11
10.07
10
9
8.40
8
7
6.93
6
5.60
5
4.37
4
3.22
3
2.12
2
1.05
1

(Do not edit any of the cells in the table at left.)

The length values apply only to a Run of 12.
This table is available in a printed version using the next sheet, named
Pitch Card.

-- If you know one of the two non-square angles, find it in the "Second
angle" or "Third angle" column. If the exact value is not shown, use
interpolation to make your best guess or use one of the calculators below

-- If you know or have calculated the Rise figure over a Run of 12, find it
the "Rise over 12" column.

-- If you know the hypotenuse length, find it in the table to learn the othe
values.

If none of this works for you, choose one of the four calculators below.

If you know the Rise over the Run

Choose whichever
calculator at right applies
to completely solve the
triangle, which means to
determine all three angles
and all three sides.
Edit only the cells in
yellow. Angles must be
greater than zero and
less than 90 degrees.
Distances must be
greater than zero.
The three cells in the grey
background are givens, the
first of which is always a
square angle; the other
five, with the right-pointing
arrows, are your answers.
For this spreadsheet, a
triangle's three sides
consist of a hypotenuse
and exactly two (square)
legs.
The slope and area are

Although pitch is
usually referenced to
a Run of 12 units, this
calculator allows you
to enter any value for
the Run.

Enter the Rise length

Enter the Run length (often 12)
Square angle
Second angle -->
Third angle -->
Rise leg length
Run leg length
Hypotenuse -->
Slope (m) | Inverse of slope -->
Area -->

If you know either non-square angle and either leg

The angle you enter
must be greater than
zero and less than 90
degrees. The "Third
angle" answer is
accurate regardless
of what value you
enter for the known
leg length.

Enter the known (second) angle

Enter the known leg length
Square angle
Second angle
Third angle -->
Given leg length

background are givens, the

first of which is always a
square angle; the other
five, with the right-pointing
arrows, are your answers.
For this spreadsheet, a
triangle's three sides
consist of a hypotenuse
and exactly two (square)
legs.

The angle you enter

must be greater than
zero and less than 90
degrees. The "Third
angle" answer is
accurate regardless
of what value you
enter for the known
leg length.

The slope and area are

shown in case you have a
use for them.
For more information on
areas and on volumes of
triangular prisms and other
related calculators, choose
the sheet named Area and
Volume.

Other leg length -->

Hypotenuse -->
Slope (m) | Inverse of slope -->
Area -->

If you know the hypotenuse and either leg

The hypotenuse you

enter must be greater
than the other leg
length you enter.

Enter the hypotenuse length

Enter either leg length
Square angle
Second angle -->
Third angle -->
Given leg length
Other leg length -->
Hypotenuse
Slope (m) | Inverse of slope -->
Area -->

If you know the hypotenuse and either non-square ang

The angle you enter

must be greater than
zero and less than 90
degrees.

Enter the hypotenuse length

Enter either non-square angle
Square angle
Second angle
Third angle -->
One leg length -->
Other leg length -->
Hypotenuse
Slope (m) | Inverse of slope -->
Area -->

bout this spreadsheet, click here.

ble at left.)

n of 12.

rsion using the next sheet, named

quare angles, find it in the "Second

e exact value is not shown, use
s or use one of the calculators below.

e Rise figure over a Run of 12, find it in

h, find it in the table to learn the other

se one of the four calculators below.

er the Run
5
12
90
22.620
67.380
5
12
13.000
0.417
30.000

distance
distance
degrees
degrees
degrees
distance
distance
distance
2.400
units square

square angle and either leg

22.62
12
90
22.62
67.380
12

degrees
distance
degrees
degrees
degrees
distance

5.000
13.000
0.417
30.000

distance
distance
2.400
units square

nuse and either leg

13
12
90
22.620
67.380
12
5.000
13
0.417
30.000

distance
distance
degrees
degrees
degrees
distance
distance
distance
2.400
units square

nuse and either non-square angle

13.038
57.529
90
57.529
32.471
7.000
11.000
13.038
1.571
38.497

distance
degrees
degrees
degrees
degrees
distance
distance
distance
0.636
units square

This sheet is designed to be printed. Cut on the border, fold, and laminate.
C U T

2nd
angle
45
42.51
40
39.81
36.87
35
33.69
30.26
30
26.57
25
22.62
20
18.43
15
14.04
10
9.46
5
4.76

3rd HypotRise
angle enuse over 12
45 16.97
12
47.49 16.28
11
50 15.66 10.07
50.19 15.62 10.00
53.13
15
9.00
55 14.65
8.40
56.31 14.42
8.00
59.74 13.89
7.00
60 13.86
6.93
63.43 13.42
6.00
65 13.24
5.60
67.38
13
5.00
70 12.77
4.37
71.57 12.65
4.00
75 12.42
3.22
75.96 12.37
3.00
80 12.19
2.12
80.54 12.17
2.00
85 12.05
1.05
85.24 12.04
1.00

Use this card on a job site if the

project involves right triangles,
such as sheathing and siding
the gable ends or building
staircases.

H
E
R
E

If you know the pitch, e.g., 5

over 12, find it in the "Rise over
12" column.
F
O
L
D
H
E
R
E

The angle in degrees =

ARCTAN (Rise / Run) * 57.3.
In a Google search box enter,
e.g., atan(5/12) X 57.3.
If you know either non-square
angle, find it in the "2nd angle"
or "3rd angle" column, and
interpolate if necessary.
If you know the hypotenuse
over a Run of 12, find it in the
"Hypotenuse" column.

Courtesy barelybad.com
C U T

2nd
angle
45
42.51
40
39.81
36.87
35
33.69
30.26
30
26.57
25
22.62
20
18.43
15
14.04
10
9.46
5
4.76

3rd HypotRise
angle enuse over 12
45 16.97
12
47.49 16.28
11
50 15.66 10.07
50.19 15.62 10.00
53.13
15
9.00
55 14.65
8.40
56.31 14.42
8.00
59.74 13.89
7.00
60 13.86
6.93
63.43 13.42
6.00
65 13.24
5.60
67.38
13
5.00
70 12.77
4.37
71.57 12.65
4.00
75 12.42
3.22
75.96 12.37
3.00
80 12.19
2.12
80.54 12.17
2.00
85 12.05
1.05
85.24 12.04
1.00

Use this card on a job site if the

project involves right triangles,
such as sheathing and siding
the gable ends or building
staircases.
If you know the pitch, e.g., 5
over 12, find it in the "Rise over
12" column.
F
O
L
D
H
E
R
E

The angle in degrees =

ARCTAN (Rise / Run) * 57.3.
In a Google search box enter,
e.g., atan(5/12) X 57.3.
If you know either non-square
angle, find it in the "2nd angle"
or "3rd angle" column, and
interpolate if necessary.
If you know the hypotenuse
over a Run of 12, find it in the
"Hypotenuse" column.

Courtesy barelybad.com

H
E
R
E

Area and Volume

Edit the cells in yellow to see new results.

To return to the Construction Volunteer How-To article about this spread

Measure or calculate the Rise and the Run in inches

Enter the Rise length
Enter the Run length
Square angle
Second angle -->
Third angle -->
Rise leg length
Run leg length
Hypotenuse -->
Slope (m) | Inverse of slope -->
Area -->
Area -->
Area -->
Enter the thickness in inches
Volume -->
Volume -->
Volume -->

5
12
90
22.620
67.380
5
12
13.000
0.417
30.000
0.208
0.023
4
120.000
0.069
0.003

inches
inches
degrees
degrees
degrees
inches
inches
inches
2.400
square inches
square feet
square yards
inches
cubic inches
cubic feet
cubic yards

The three top calculators at right assume you

know the number of square inches or feet or
yards and converts that into the other two square
units.
The three bottom calculators at right assume
you know the number of cubic inches or feet or
yards and converts that into the other two cubic
units.
Note that these six little independent calculators
at right work whether it's a right triangle or any
other shape.

The calculator at left assumes you know the R

and Run values of a right triangle in inches; if
do not, go to the sheet titled Common Pitches
Angles, then come back here.

Use this calculator to determine the area of an

triangle in inches, feet and yards, perhaps for
estimating how much sod or siding is needed.

If you enter a thickness in inches, the calculat

also determines the number of cubic inches, fe
yards in a right triangle of that thickness, perha
estimating part of a concrete driveway apron.

he Construction Volunteer How-To article about this spreadsheet, click here.

The calculator at left assumes you know the Rise

and Run values of a right triangle in inches; if you
do not, go to the sheet titled Common Pitches and
Angles, then come back here.
Use this calculator to determine the area of any right
triangle in inches, feet and yards, perhaps for
estimating how much sod or siding is needed.
If you enter a thickness in inches, the calculator
also determines the number of cubic inches, feet and
yards in a right triangle of that thickness, perhaps for
estimating part of a concrete driveway apron.

Enter the known number of SQUARE units

Enter the number of square inches
Area -->
Area -->
Enter the number of square feet
Area -->
Area -->
Enter the number of square yards
Area -->
Area -->

864.000 square inches

6.000
square feet
0.667 square yards
100.000
square feet
14,400.000 square inches
11.111 square yards
10.000 square yards
12,960.000 square inches
90.000
square feet

Enter the known number of CUBIC units

Enter the number of cubic inches 1,660,000.000
Volume -->
960.648
Volume -->
35.580
Enter the number of cubic feet
138.889
Volume --> 240,000.192
Volume -->
5.144
Enter the number of cubic yards
5.144
Volume --> 240,019.200
Volume -->
138.900

cubic inches
cubic feet
cubic yards
cubic feet
cubic inches
cubic yards
cubic yards
cubic inches
cubic feet

Fractions
Use this sheet to convert decimals to fractions and vice versa.
To return to the Construction Volunteer How-To article about this spreadsheet, click here.
DECIMAL 4ths 8ths 16ths
.0625
1/16
.125
1/8 2/16
.1875
3/16
.25
1/4 2/8 4/16
.3125
5/16
.375
3/8 6/16
.4375
7/16
.5
2/4 4/8 8/16
.5625
9/16
.625
5/8 ###
.6875
###
.75
3/4 6/8 ###
.8125
###
.875
7/8 ###
.9375
###

DECIMAL
0.0625
0.1250
0.1875
0.2500
0.3125
0.3750
0.4375
0.5000
0.5625
0.6250
0.6875
0.7500
0.8125
0.8750
0.9375

In the calculator below, enter a value in

decimal or fractional inches to see the
nearest 64th, 32nd, etc.

Enter a length in inches

19.2000
Nearest fraction
96/ 5
Nearest 64th inch
19 13/64
32nd inch
19 6/32
16th inch
19 3/16
8th inch
19 2/8
1/4 inch
19 1/4
1/2 inch
19 0/2
Millimeters 487.7