Example 1 — Roof with 8 m span
- Span: 8 m
- Angle: 35°
- Wall height: 2.8 m
Ridge height: 5.60 m
This shows how a medium roof angle can significantly increase the total building height.
Ridge height
Enter roof span, pitch angle, and wall height — we’ll get ridge height and roof rise.
Quick way to compare roof options for building form and attic space — not a structural design. Related: roof pitch angle, slope percent.
Results
Enter data and click Calculate.
How the results are calculated
Ridge height h = (span ÷ 2) × tan(pitch°) + wall height. The chart shows how height changes with pitch for your span.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the full roof span.
- Add the roof pitch angle.
- Enter the wall height or starting height from which the ridge is measured.
- Read the result as total ridge height.
Example scenarios
Example 2 — Wider roof with a steeper angle
- Span: 10 m
- Angle: 40°
- Wall height: 3.0 m
Ridge height: 7.20 m
With both larger span and steeper pitch, ridge height grows quickly, which makes this calculator useful even at concept stage.
Example 3 — Smaller building with a gentler roof
- Span: 7.2 m
- Angle: 30°
- Wall height: 2.6 m
Ridge height: 4.68 m
This is a good example of how a gentler roof clearly lowers the final building form.
FAQ
What drives ridge height?
Mostly span, pitch angle, and the wall height where the roof starts.
Does a steeper angle raise the ridge a lot?
Yes — especially on a wider building. A few degrees can move the height noticeably.
Do I enter the full span or half?
Usually the full roof width. The formula uses half internally; you type the full number.
What can I actually use this number for?
Early massing, attic headroom, and quick roof option comparisons.
Does this replace structural design?
No — it’s quick geometry, not a full structural package.
Where do people usually go wrong?
Entering half-span when the field wants the full width — or typing the angle in the wrong unit.
Does this pair with the roof pitch calculator?
Yes — one finds the angle, the other shows how that angle lifts the ridge.
Does a taller ridge matter in real life?
Yes — building proportions, attic space, and a bunch of early concept calls.