Calculate incline percentage and slope angle from rise and run measurements. Perfect for runners, cyclists, hikers, and engineers.
Grade (%) = (Rise ÷ Run) × 100
Angle (°) = arctan(Rise ÷ Run) × (180 ÷ π)
A hill grade calculator helps determine the steepness of any inclined surface by measuring the vertical rise against the horizontal distance. Whether you’re planning a cycling route, designing a road, or setting up a treadmill workout, understanding hill grade is essential for safety and performance calculations.
Hill grade calculations are commonly used in construction, transportation planning, fitness training, and outdoor recreation activities.
The hill grade formula is straightforward:
Grade (%) = (Rise ÷ Run) × 100
Rise represents the vertical distance or height change between two points. This is how much elevation increases or decreases along the slope.
Run represents the horizontal distance between the same two points. This is the ground distance measured on a flat plane.
Hill grade is the measurement of how steep an inclined surface is, expressed as a percentage. It tells you how much the elevation changes for every 100 units of horizontal distance.
A road incline of 5% means the road rises 5 feet for every 100 feet of horizontal distance. This grade percentage system is standard in engineering, construction, and transportation industries.
Common applications include road construction, railway design, cycling route planning, treadmill settings, and vehicle performance testing.
Here’s a simple example to calculate hill slope:
A hill rises 15 feet over a horizontal distance of 300 feet.
Grade (%) = (15 ÷ 300) × 100 = 5%
This means the hill incline is 5%, which is considered a moderate slope suitable for most vehicles and cyclists.
For a steeper example: if a hill rises 25 feet over 100 feet of horizontal distance, the grade would be 25% – a very steep incline that challenges both vehicles and pedestrians.
Most roads maintain grades between 3-8%. Interstate highways typically stay under 6%, while local roads may reach 10-12% in hilly areas.
Hills with grades above 15% are considered steep. Grades over 25% are extremely steep and may require special vehicles or walking techniques.
Yes, you can convert grade percentage to degrees using the arctangent function. A 10% grade equals approximately 5.7 degrees.
Yes, hill grade and slope refer to the same concept. Both measure the steepness of an inclined surface using the rise over run calculation.
Grade and gradient are essentially the same measurement. Some regions prefer "gradient" while others use "grade," but both describe slope steepness.
Understanding hill grade helps you make informed decisions about route planning, vehicle capabilities, and safety considerations for any inclined surface.
Quickly convert your CGPA to accurate percentage.
