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Slope & Gradient Converter
Convert between degrees, percentage gradient and ratio instantly by typing into any field.
Compare with machine gradeability
Gradeability describes a machine's ability to travel on a gradient under specified conditions. It is not necessarily the maximum permitted slope for elevated operation. Always use the manufacturer's operating limits.
Need to check physical access too? Try Will It Fit?
Degrees vs percentage gradient
A 10° slope is not a 10% gradient -- percentage gradient is the tangent of the angle (rise ÷ run × 100), not the angle itself. At small angles the two look similar (10° ≈ 17.6%), but they diverge quickly: 45° is 100%, and the gap keeps widening as the slope gets steeper.
How is gradient calculated?
Percentage gradient = (rise ÷ run) × 100. A ramp that climbs 1 m over a 10 m run has a rise of 1 and a run of 10, so its gradient is (1 ÷ 10) × 100 = 10%. The same ramp is atan(1 ÷ 10) ≈ 5.7° and a ratio of roughly 1 : 10.
Why gradient matters for MEWPs
Ground gradient affects travelling, stability and levelling before a platform can even be raised -- most MEWPs need to self-level within a limited range, and outriggers or stabilisers on sloped or uneven ground need their own safety margin beyond the machine's stated gradeability. Ground condition matters as much as the angle itself. Always work within the manufacturer's stated operating limits, not just what the machine is physically capable of driving on. See Will It Fit? to check physical access alongside site gradient.