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Ramp Slope Ratio Calculator

Use our free Ramp Slope Ratio Calculator to instantly compute ramp grade, percentage, and angle. ADA compliant, precise, and easy to use for ramp planning.

If you're planning to build a ramp for a home, business, or public space, getting the slope right is extremely important. Whether it's for wheelchair access, carts, or general walkways, the ramp should be safe and comfortable to use. That’s why we created the Ramp Slope Ratio Calculator — a simple tool to help you find the exact slope ratio, percentage, and angle based on your ramp’s rise and run.

What is Ramp Slope Ratio?

Ramp slope ratio is the relationship between the vertical rise (height) and the horizontal run (length) of a ramp. It tells you how steep or gentle the ramp is.

A common example is a 1:12 slope ratio, which means for every 1 inch of rise, there are 12 inches of run. This is the standard recommended by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) for wheelchair ramps. It's designed to ensure safety and comfort for all users.

How to Calculate Slope Ratio of a Ramp?

The slope ratio is calculated using a very simple formula:

Slope Ratio = Rise / Run

To express it in the traditional format like 1:12, you take the slope and invert it:

Slope Ratio Format = 1 : (Run / Rise)

For example, if your ramp rises 20 inches and runs 240 inches, the ratio would be:

Slope = 20 / 240 = 0.0833

Ratio Format = 1 : (1 / 0.0833) = 1 : 12

You can also convert the slope into percentage and angle:

Slope Percentage = (Rise / Run) × 100

Slope Angle (Degrees) = arctangent (Rise / Run)

These calculations are automatically handled by our Ramp Slope Ratio Calculator.

What is a 1 to 12 Ratio Ramp?

A 1:12 ratio ramp means for every 1 unit of vertical rise, there are 12 units of horizontal run. This ratio is considered the standard for accessibility ramps in most countries, including the U.S.

So, if your rise is 24 inches, your ramp should be at least:

24 inches × 12 = 288 inches (24 feet) long

This ensures the ramp is not too steep and can be safely used by wheelchairs, walkers, and even people pushing strollers or carts.

How Long Should a Ramp Be for a 20 Inch Rise?

To calculate ramp length, simply multiply the rise by the slope ratio. Using the standard 1:12 ratio:

Ramp Length = Rise × 12

Ramp Length = 20 inches × 12 = 240 inches (20 feet)

So, for a 20-inch rise, you need a ramp that's at least 20 feet long for safe and ADA-compliant use.

What is the Standard Slope for Ramps?

The most accepted standard slope for accessibility ramps is 1:12, which equals about 8.33% slope or approximately 4.76 degrees.

Other guidelines:

  • 1:10 (10%) may be acceptable for short distances.
  • 1:16 to 1:20 (5–6.25%) are considered excellent and more comfortable for all users.
  • Slopes greater than 20% are usually too steep for pedestrian or wheelchair use and may be dangerous.

How to Use the Ramp Slope Ratio Calculator

  1. Enter the vertical rise (height) of your ramp.
  2. Enter the horizontal run (length) of your ramp.
  3. Choose the units (feet, inches, meters, etc.).
  4. Click Calculate.

The tool will instantly show you:

  • Slope ratio (e.g., 1 : 12)
  • Slope percentage (e.g., 8.33%)
  • Slope angle in degrees (e.g., 4.76°)
  • ADA compliance status

If your ramp slope exceeds safe limits, it will display a warning or danger message.

Final Verdict

Whether you're designing a wheelchair ramp, garden path, driveway, or any sloped surface, knowing the correct slope ratio is essential for safety and comfort. Our Ramp Slope Ratio Calculator takes the guesswork out and gives you instant, accurate results with ADA compliance checks.

You don’t need to be a math expert — just input your values and get your result. This tool is perfect for engineers, architects, contractors, DIY builders, and anyone working on accessibility features.

FAQs

What is the ideal slope for a wheelchair ramp?

The ADA recommends a maximum slope of 1:12, which is equal to 8.33% or 4.76°.

Is 1:10 ramp slope acceptable?

For short ramps, yes — but it’s not considered ADA-compliant for standard wheelchair access.

How do I measure rise and run?

  • Rise: Measure the vertical height from ground level to the top.
  • Run: Measure the horizontal distance from the start to the end of the ramp (not diagonal).

Can this calculator work with metric units?

Yes! You can input values in meters, centimeters, or millimeters. The tool automatically converts them to perform accurate calculations.