5/12 Roof Pitch

A 5/12 roof rises 5 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run: 22.62°, a 41.7% slope, and 8.3% more surface than its footprint.

5/12 pitch at a glance
Measure	5/12 value
Angle	22.62°
Slope percent	41.7%
Rise per foot of run	5 in
Pitch multiplier (area factor)	1.0833
Hip/valley factor	1.4743
Common rafter length per foot of run	13"
Plumb cut / seat cut	22.6° / 67.4°

Where you see a 5/12 roof

Typical uses: ranches, split-levels and many tract homes. A 5/12 roof is a popular compromise: steeper-looking than a 4/12, still easy to walk and work on. It takes a standard shingle installation and suits metal and tile too, and at 22.6 degrees it still gives a modest attic for storage and ductwork.

Roof area at 5/12

5/12 formulas

Angle = arctan(5 ÷ 12) = 22.62° Multiplier = √(5² + 12²) ÷ 12 = 1.0833 Roof area = footprint × 1.0833 Rafter = run × 1.0833 Ridge height = run × 5 ÷ 12

Worked examples

Roof area. A 48 × 30 ft house with 1 ft overhangs has a 50 × 32 = 1,600 sq ft footprint. At 5/12: 1,600 × 1.0833 = 1,733 sq ft, or 17.3 squares before waste.

Rafter. A 28 ft span with a 1-1/2" ridge board has a 13.938 ft run. Line length = 13.938 × 1.0833 = 15' 1-3/16"; add an 18" overhang (1' 7-1/2" along the slope) for 16' 8-11/16". The ridge sits 5' 10" above the plate line. Try other spans in the rafter calculator.

5/12 rafter lengths and ridge heights

Common rafters at 5/12, measured to the center of the ridge
Building span	Run	Rafter (no overhang)	Ridge rise
16 ft	8 ft	8' 8"	3' 4"
20 ft	10 ft	10' 10"	4' 2"
24 ft	12 ft	13' 0"	5' 0"
28 ft	14 ft	15' 2"	5' 10"
32 ft	16 ft	17' 4"	6' 8"
36 ft	18 ft	19' 6"	7' 6"

Roof area by footprint at 5/12

Footprint to roof area at 5/12
Footprint (incl. overhang)	Roof area	Squares
1,000 sq ft	1,083 sq ft	10.8
1,500 sq ft	1,625 sq ft	16.3
2,000 sq ft	2,167 sq ft	21.7
2,500 sq ft	2,708 sq ft	27.1
3,000 sq ft	3,250 sq ft	32.5

Materials and walkability

Shingles: Yes. 4/12 and steeper takes a standard shingle installation.
Walkable? Generally yes, in dry conditions with proper footwear and fall protection where required.

← 4/12 pitch · 6/12 pitch → · All pitches in degrees

Frequently asked questions

How many degrees is a 5/12 roof pitch?

A 5/12 roof pitch is 22.62 degrees.

What is the multiplier for a 5/12 pitch?

The pitch multiplier for 5/12 is 1.0833. Multiply the footprint area or horizontal run by it to get the sloped area or rafter length.

Can you put shingles on a 5/12 roof?

Yes. 4/12 and steeper takes a standard shingle installation.

Is a 5/12 roof walkable?

Generally yes, in dry conditions with proper footwear and fall protection where required.

Last reviewed 2026-10-10. Results are estimates for planning; confirm quantities with your supplier and requirements with your local building code and the manufacturer's instructions.