Enter the dip angle, vertical displacement, and horizontal displacement into the calculator to determine the missing variable.

Dip Angle Calculator

Dip from Vertical/Horizontal
True vs Apparent Dip
Fault Heave/Throw/Slip

Enter any 2 values to calculate the missing variable

°

Dip Angle Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the dip angle for a given vertical and horizontal displacement.

\theta = \arctan\left(\frac{V}{H}\right)

Variables:

  • (theta) is the dip angle in degrees
  • V is the vertical displacement
  • H is the horizontal displacement

To calculate the dip angle, take the arctangent of the vertical displacement divided by the horizontal displacement. This will give you the dip angle in degrees.

What is a Dip Angle?

A dip angle, also known as the angle of dip, is the angle formed between the horizontal plane and the inclined surface. It is commonly used in geology to describe the orientation of rock layers, faults, and other geological structures. The dip angle is measured in degrees and indicates the steepness of the slope. A higher dip angle means a steeper slope, while a lower dip angle indicates a gentler slope. Understanding the dip angle is crucial for various applications, including construction, mining, and geological mapping.

How to Calculate Dip Angle?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Dip Angle.


  1. First, determine the vertical displacement (V).
  2. Next, determine the horizontal displacement (H).
  3. Next, calculate the dip angle using the formula (theta = arctanleft(frac{V}{H}right)).
  4. Finally, calculate the Dip Angle.
  5. After inserting the values 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.

Vertical Displacement (V) = 10 meters

Horizontal Displacement (H) = 5 meters