1. What is Elevation Percentage?

Elevation percentage is a measure of the steepness or incline of a slope, calculated as the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run, expressed as a percentage. It is commonly used in construction, engineering, and outdoor activities to describe gradients.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the elevation percentage formula:

Where:

• \( Rise \) — Vertical height difference (feet)
• \( Run \) — Horizontal distance (feet)

Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage of elevation gain relative to the horizontal distance traveled.

3. Importance of Elevation Percentage

Details: Elevation percentage is crucial for road design, trail construction, wheelchair accessibility compliance, and determining appropriate grades for various applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter rise and run values in feet. Both values must be positive numbers, and run cannot be zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered a steep grade?
A: Generally, grades above 10% are considered steep for vehicles, while grades above 15% may be challenging for pedestrians.

Q2: How does elevation percentage relate to degrees?
A: While percentage is rise/run × 100, degrees use arctan(rise/run). A 45° angle equals 100% grade.

Q3: What's the maximum grade for ADA compliance?
A: ADA requires wheelchair ramps to have a maximum slope of 1:12, which is approximately 8.33%.

Q4: Can I use different units for rise and run?
A: Yes, as long as both measurements use the same units (both in feet, both in meters, etc.).

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise when accurate measurements are provided.