How Big is My Roof?

If you're planning a roof replacement, repair, or solar panel installation, knowing your roof's exact size is key. But figuring it out isn't as simple as measuring the footprint of your house. Things like roof slope, overhangs, and pitch all play a role in the actual size.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the best ways to measure your roof—whether you're using traditional methods, online tools, or professional aerial measurement services like RoofScope. By the end, you’ll know exactly how big your roof is and the easiest way to get accurate measurements.

Step 1: Understanding Your Roof’s Shape & Pitch

Not all roofs are the same, and that’s why the first step in measuring your roof is identifying its shape and figuring out the slope, or "pitch."

Common Roof Styles:

• Gable Roof – Two sloped sides that meet at a central ridge.
• Hip Roof – Slopes on all four sides, offering better stability.
• Mansard Roof – Features two slopes on each side for extra living space.
• Flat Roof – Slightly inclined to allow for drainage.
• Gambrel Roof – Often seen on barns, with two distinct slopes.

How to Determine Your Roof’s Pitch

Measuring roof pitch is pretty simple if you have a 12-inch level and a tape measure. Here’s what to do:

1. Place the level horizontally on your roof.
2. From the 12-inch mark, measure straight up to the roof’s surface.
3. If the measurement is 4 inches, your roof has a 4/12 pitch (meaning it rises 4 inches for every 12 inches horizontally).

Why This Matters: The steeper the pitch, the larger the surface area of your roof. That’s why your roof might be significantly bigger than your home’s actual footprint.

Step 2: Calculating Your Roof’s Base Area

To get started, measure your home’s footprint—the basic length and width of your house.

1. Measure the length and width of your house.
2. Multiply them together to get the total area.
3. Add in overhangs (typically 1.5 feet per side).

Example:

For a house that’s 40 feet by 30 feet, the footprint calculation would be:

40 ft × 30 ft = 1,200 sq ft

Step 3: Adjusting for Roof Pitch

Your roof isn’t a flat surface, so you’ll need to apply a pitch multiplier to get the true surface area.

Final Calculation:

Now, multiply the footprint by the pitch multiplier:

1,200 sq ft × 1.054 (for a 4/12 pitch) = 1,264.8 sq ft

That means your roof is actually 1,265 square feet instead of 1,200.

Step 4: Faster & Easier Roof Measurements

1. Use Google Maps & Online Tools

• Open Google Earth or Google Maps.
• Use the measurement tool to outline your roof.
• Apply the pitch multiplier from the table above.

2. Get a Professional Aerial Measurement

For the most accurate and hassle-free results, professional services like RoofScope and RoofScopeX provide **precise, CAD-verified roof reports** with:

• 99% accurate roof square footage and pitch calculations
• Material estimates for roofing projects
• Fast, drone-free, satellite-based reports

With RoofScope, you can get a **detailed measurement report** within just a few hours. If you’re looking for a quicker and budget-friendly option, RoofScopeX is available for just $15 per report.

Order Your RoofScope Report Today

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a homeowner preparing for a new roof or a contractor needing fast measurements, knowing **exactly how big your roof is** will help you save time and money. While **manual calculations** work, professional aerial measurement services like **RoofScope** take out all the guesswork.

Why Choose RoofScope and RoofScopeX?

• ✔ 100% Accurate CAD-verified reports
• ✔ No climbing, no hassle
• ✔ Fast turnaround times
• ✔ RoofScopeX reports available for just $15
• ✔ Trusted by roofing professionals

Get Your RoofScope Report Now