🏠 Calculator 📋 About 📞 Contact ⛈️ Storm 🏙️ Rockford 🌾 Dixon 🏭 Sterling 🎓 DeKalb

📏 How to Measure Your Roof

Complete DIY guide for accurate roof area and pitch measurements

💡 Why Accurate Measurements Matter

Getting precise roof measurements helps you:

  • 📊 Get accurate cost estimates - no surprises later
  • 🛡️ Avoid contractor overcharges - know what's fair
  • 📋 Plan your project properly - materials and timeline
  • 💰 Budget confidently - realistic financial planning

🛰️ Method 1: Google Earth Measurement (Recommended)

🌍
Satellite View Measurement
Easy

Perfect for: Anyone with a computer - no climbing required!

  1. 1
    Go to earth.google.com in your web browser
  2. 2
    Search for your home address in the search box
  3. 3
    Click the ruler/measure tool (looks like a ruler icon)
  4. 4
    Select "Measure distance and area"
  5. 5
    Click around your roof's perimeter to trace the outline
  6. 6
    Google Earth will automatically calculate the area
  7. 7
    Add 10% for waste and roof complexity

Pros

  • No ladder climbing
  • Very accurate satellite imagery
  • Free and easy to use
  • Can do from anywhere
  • Automatically calculates area

Considerations

  • Requires computer/internet access
  • Need to account for roof pitch separately
  • Complex roofs may need multiple measurements
  • Best combined with pitch measurement

🛰️ Google Earth Tutorial Screenshots

Google Earth Homepage

Step 1: Google Earth Homepage

Address Search Results

Step 2: Search Your Address

Ruler Tool Selection

Step 3: Select Ruler Tool

Roof Outline Tracing

Step 4: Trace Roof Outline

Complete step-by-step visual guide for measuring your roof using Google Earth

Complete step-by-step visual guide for measuring your roof using Google Earth

📱 Method 2: Smartphone Apps

📱
Roof Measurement Apps
Easy

📱 Recommended Apps:

📐 Pitch Gauge: Free roof pitch calculator

📏 Measure: AR measurement tool (iPhone)

🏠 RoofSnap: Professional roof measurement

📊 Hover: AI-powered roof analysis

  1. 1
    Download a roof measurement app
  2. 2
    Take photos of your roof from multiple angles
  3. 3
    Follow app instructions for measurement
  4. 4
    Review and export measurements
📐
Pitch Measurement
Easy

Use your smartphone as an inclinometer:

  1. 1
    Download a level/inclinometer app
  2. 2
    Hold phone against roof surface or gutter
  3. 3
    Read the angle (convert to pitch ratio)
  4. 4
    Match to pitch examples below

🚶‍♀️ Method 3: Ground-Level Measurement

📏
Walking Measurement
Medium

For simple rectangular homes:

  1. 1
    Measure the length and width of your home
  2. 2
    Multiply length × width for footprint area
  3. 3
    Add roof overhang (usually 1-2 feet per side)
  4. 4
    Multiply by pitch factor (see guide below)
  5. 5
    Add 10% for waste and complexity

🧮 Quick Roof Area Calculator

💡 Overhang: Most homes have 1-2 feet of roof extending beyond walls

📐 Roof Pitch Identification Guide

Visual Pitch Reference

Roof pitch is the angle of your roof slope. Here's how to identify yours:

4/12 Pitch

18.4° angle
Gentle slope
Easy to walk on

6/12 Pitch

26.6° angle
Most common
Moderate slope

8/12 Pitch

33.7° angle
Steep slope
Difficult to walk

12/12 Pitch

45° angle
Very steep
Professional only

⚠️ Safety & When to Call Professionals

🚨 Safety First

Never climb on your roof unless you have proper safety equipment and experience.

🏠 Call a Professional When:

❌ Difficult Situations

✅ Professional Benefits

📋 Measurement Checklist

✅ Before You Start:

📝 Information to Collect:

🧮 Ready to Calculate Your Roofing Costs?

Now that you have your measurements, get an accurate cost estimate for your specific city!

📊 Use Our Calculator