How to Measure a Slope

Slope is a measurement of how much something goes up across a certain distance, or rise over run. For example, the slope of a road is determined by how much the road goes up or down in elevation, divided by a certain distance. If the road elevation goes from zero to one hundred feet over a distance of four hundred feet then the slope is one to four, or twenty five percent. It is very easy to calculate a slope with just a few simple tools.

Wood stake
Tape measure
String
Carpenters level

Instructions

- 1
  Start by establishing a fixed point. This can be something that is permanent, or you can drive a stake into the ground. It should be at ground level.
- 2
  Determine whether you want to measure the slope up or down from this point. The following assumes you are measuring down a slope. Once you have done this, establish a second point in line with the first.
- 3
  Pound in a wood stake at this second point. It should be out of the ground high enough, so the top is a little above the first reference point.
- 4
  Tie a string between the first stake and the second stake. Use the carpenter's level to make the string level. You may need to raise or lower the string's position on the second stake.
- 5
  Measure and record the distance along the string from the first stake to the second: This will be the run. Measure the distance from the ground up to the string on the second stake: This will be the rise.
- 6
  Divide the rise by the run. This will give you the slope's ratio.

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