1. What is Percent Slope?

Percent slope is a way to express the steepness of a slope as a percentage. It represents the vertical rise divided by the horizontal run, multiplied by 100. This measurement is commonly used in civil engineering, construction, and topography.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the trigonometric formula:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angle in degrees
• \( \tan(\theta) \) — Tangent of the angle
• 100 — Conversion factor to percentage

Explanation: The tangent of an angle in a right triangle equals the ratio of the opposite side (rise) to the adjacent side (run). Multiplying by 100 converts this ratio to a percentage.

3. Importance of Slope Calculation

Details: Accurate slope calculation is essential for road design, drainage planning, construction projects, wheelchair ramp design, and determining safe gradients for various applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the angle in degrees between 0 and 90. The calculator will automatically compute the corresponding percent slope. For angles greater than 45 degrees, the slope percentage increases rapidly.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between degrees and percent slope?
A: Percent slope = tan(angle) × 100. At 45 degrees, the percent slope is exactly 100%.

Q2: What are common slope percentages for different applications?
A: Wheelchair ramps: 5-8.33%, Roads: typically under 12%, Roofs: varies by material, Walking paths: under 15% for comfort.

Q3: How does percent slope compare to degree measurement?
A: Percent slope is more intuitive for practical applications as it directly shows rise per 100 units of run, while degrees are better for mathematical calculations.

Q4: What is the maximum possible percent slope?
A: As the angle approaches 90 degrees, the percent slope approaches infinity. A vertical surface (90 degrees) has an undefined percent slope.

Q5: Can I convert percent slope back to degrees?
A: Yes, use the formula: degrees = arctan(percent slope ÷ 100).