The angle is arctan(6 ÷ 12). The multiplier means a 6/12 roof has about 12% more surface than its footprint — a 1,000 sq ft footprint carries roughly 1,118 sq ft of shingles.
6/12 is a sweet spot in residential construction: steep enough to shed water and snow well, standard for asphalt shingles, and still walkable for maintenance with care.
Common pitches to degrees
| Pitch | Angle | Multiplier |
|---|---|---|
| 3:12 | 14.0° | 1.031 |
| 4:12 | 18.4° | 1.054 |
| 6:12 | 26.6° | 1.118 |
| 8:12 | 33.7° | 1.202 |
| 10:12 | 39.8° | 1.302 |
| 12:12 | 45.0° | 1.414 |