Ladder Angle Calculator

Your details

Choose which unknown you want the calculator to find.
The total length of the ladder.
ft
The vertical height where the top of the ladder rests against the wall.
ft
Never stand on the top N rungs. Each rung is typically 1 ft (0.3 m) apart. Working height = reach minus this margin.
rungs
Ladder angleToo shallow
53.1deg

The angle the ladder makes with the ground.

Base distance from wall12
Ladder length needed20
Working height13
Ideal base (4:1 rule)4
Safety assessmentUnsafe - too shallow (53.1 deg). Increase angle toward 70-80 deg.
53.1 deg
Too shallow<70Ideal zone70-76Safe zone76-80Too steep80+

Angle is 53.1 deg - outside the safe zone.

  • Your angle of 53.1 deg is below the safe minimum of 70 deg. The base will tend to slide outward - move it closer to the wall.
  • The 4:1 rule puts the ideal base at 4.00 ft from the wall for this height. Your base is 12.00 ft.
  • Safe working height is 13.00 ft after subtracting the top-3-rung margin (3.0 ft).
  • Ladder length used in this calculation: 20.00 ft.

Next stepAdjust the base distance so the angle falls between 70 and 80 degrees before climbing.

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