Angle of Elevation Calculator
Find the angle of elevation from the rise and the horizontal distance, with the line-of-sight distance and grade.
Change the values and press Calculate to work out your own figures.
Enter the rise and the horizontal distance (in the same unit).
Show the working
- θ = arctan(rise ÷ horizontal distance) = arctan(3 ÷ 4)
How to use it
Enter the rise and the horizontal distance (in the same unit).
Enter the values you know (decimals, fractions, surds such as 2√5, or angles such as π/3 in radians). Show the working gives the rule used at each step.
Key facts
θ = arctan(rise ÷ run)
Elevation and depression
Looking up at an object, the angle above the horizontal is the angle of elevation; the same angle measured down from the object is the angle of depression.
Questions
What is the angle for a rise of 3 over 4?
≈ 36.86989765°.
Grade?
rise ÷ run = 75%.
Formulas
θ = arctan(rise ÷ run)
Sources
Limitations
- Angles can be typed in degrees or radians; radians may be written with π (π/3, 2pi/3).