What can be expressed either by a ratio or by inches per foot?

The concept of roof pitch is fundamentally tied to the relationship between vertical rise and horizontal run. Roof pitch can be represented as a ratio, such as 4:12, meaning that for every 12 horizontal inches, the roof rises 4 vertical inches. This ratio effectively describes the steepness of a roof.

Additionally, roof pitch can also be expressed in inches per foot, which is a practical way to communicate how much the roof ascends vertically over a horizontal distance. For example, the same 4:12 pitch can also be understood as 4 inches of rise for every 12 inches of run—in other words, a 4 inch vertical rise for every 1 foot of horizontal distance.

Understanding roof pitch is essential for various applications in construction and design, particularly when it comes to ensuring proper drainage, structural integrity, and overall aesthetics. Other options, while they may involve measurements or ratios, do not describe a relationship as precisely articulated as roof pitch does in relation to slopes or inclines.