Enter the horizontal distance and the vertical height into the calculator to determine the bench slope as a percentage. The bench slope is a measure of the steepness or incline of a bench relative to the horizontal plane.

Bench Slope Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the bench slope.

Slope () = (VH / HD) * 100

Variables:

  • VH is the vertical height (feet)
  • HD is the horizontal distance (feet)

To calculate the bench slope, divide the vertical height by the horizontal distance and then multiply by 100 to convert it to a percentage.

What is a Bench Slope?

A bench slope is the angle of incline or decline of a bench with respect to the horizontal plane. It is often used in landscaping, construction, and civil engineering to describe the steepness of an area. The slope is typically expressed as a percentage, which indicates how many feet the bench rises or falls over a 100-foot horizontal distance.

How to Calculate Bench Slope?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Bench Slope.


  1. First, measure the horizontal distance (HD) in feet.
  2. Next, measure the vertical height (VH) in feet.
  3. Use the formula Slope (%) = (VH / HD) * 100 to calculate the slope.
  4. Finally, enter the measurements into the calculator to find the bench slope as a percentage.
  5. After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

horizontal distance (HD) = 50 feet

vertical height (VH) = 10 feet