Calculator Input Panel
Single column layout overall, with a responsive three-two-one calculator grid.
Plotly Graph
The chart shows the right triangle profile using horizontal run, elevation rise, and slope distance.
Example Data Table
| Scenario | Rise (m) | Run (m) | Slope Distance (m) | Angle (°) | Grade (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillside pathway | 18 | 90 | 91.7824 | 11.3099 | 20.0000 |
| Access ramp | 1.2 | 15 | 15.0479 | 4.5739 | 8.0000 |
| Survey line | 42 | 160 | 165.4237 | 14.7083 | 26.2500 |
Formula Used
1) Slope distance from rise and run
d = √(rise² + run²)
This uses the Pythagorean relationship for a right triangle.
2) Angle from rise and run
θ = tan⁻¹(rise / run)
The inverse tangent converts the rise to run ratio into degrees.
3) Grade percentage
grade% = (rise / run) × 100
Grade expresses vertical change for every 100 horizontal units.
4) Rise from slope and angle
rise = d × sin(θ)
Use this when diagonal slope length and angle are known.
5) Run from slope and angle
run = d × cos(θ)
This resolves the horizontal component of the sloped distance.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select the calculation mode that matches the values you already know.
- Choose your preferred linear unit for rise, run, and slope distance.
- Enter the known values, plus the decimal precision you want.
- Click the calculate button to show the result above the form.
- Review the graph, conversions, slope class, and optional step-by-step output.
- Export your final result as a CSV file or PDF report.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What does this calculator measure?
It computes the relationship between vertical rise, horizontal run, diagonal slope distance, angle, and grade percentage for elevation-based right triangle problems.
2) What is elevation rise?
Elevation rise is the vertical difference between the starting point and ending point. Positive rise means uphill. Negative rise means downhill.
3) What is horizontal run?
Horizontal run is the flat ground distance between two points. It is the base of the right triangle used in the calculation.
4) What is slope distance?
Slope distance is the direct diagonal path between two points on an incline. It is always at least as large as the horizontal run.
5) How is grade percentage different from angle?
Grade percentage compares rise with run as a percent. Angle measures steepness in degrees. They describe the same slope in different formats.
6) Can I use feet or miles?
Yes. The calculator supports meters, feet, kilometers, and miles. Keep all entered linear values in the same selected unit.
7) Why does the calculator reject some values?
Some inputs break triangle rules. For example, slope distance cannot be smaller than run, and the angle cannot reach plus or minus ninety degrees.
8) Where is this useful?
It is useful in surveying, ramps, hillside design, road planning, trigonometry practice, GIS work, and elevation profile analysis.