Calculate the tipping angle of an object from its center of gravity height and CG-to-pivot distance, or solve the base width or CG height for a target angle.

Use the geometry in the intended tipping direction. Unit changes reinterpret the entered number; they do not convert it. This static model does not establish a safe operating slope.

Height of the center of gravity above the support plane, not total object height.

Compare with a slope (optional)
Blank compares with level ground (0°). Enter a slope below 90°; the comparison is static geometry only.

Related Calculators

Tipping Angle Formula

The calculator uses right-triangle geometry between vertical CG height, horizontal CG-to-pivot distance, and static tipping angle in the chosen direction. It assumes a rigid cross-section and fixed support geometry, without prior sliding or dynamic motion.

TA = arctan((BL) / (H))
BL = H × tan(TA)
H = (BL) / (tan(TA))
  • TA = tipping angle
  • BL = horizontal distance from the CG projection to the chosen pivot edge, not full base width
  • H = vertical center-of-gravity height above the support plane, not total object height

CG height and CG-to-pivot distance must use the same length basis before calculation. Select meters, centimeters, feet, or inches independently for each entered length. Unit factors are applied internally, but changing a unit reinterprets the number in its field rather than converting that number. Select the solved-length unit in the inverse modes. A target tipping angle must be strictly above 0° and below 90°, and the comparison slope must be at least 0° and below 90°.

In direct-edge mode, enter the horizontal distance from the CG projection to the selected tipping edge. In full-base mode, the model uses BL = B/2 − o, where B is full base width and o is the CG offset from the midpoint toward that edge. Enter 0 for centered CG. The offset must leave a positive edge distance. Solving for full width uses B = 2 × (H × tan(TA) + o); the hidden offset is inactive in direct-edge mode.

Tipping Angle Reference Tables

These bands describe geometry only. They are not validated stability ratings or safe-use categories. A wider support distance or lower CG generally increases the static geometric angle, but sliding, dynamic loads, compliance, shifting cargo, and terrain can govern actual behavior.

Tipping angle Geometric interpretation
0° to 10° Small CG-to-pivot distance relative to CG height; this is not a measured ease-of-tipping category.
10° to 25° CG-to-pivot distance remains below CG height; actual stability needs more than this geometry.
25° to 45° CG-to-pivot distance approaches CG height; equal positive dimensions give 45°.
45° or more CG-to-pivot distance is at least CG height. No equipment operating limit or safety classification is implied.
If you know this Use this formula
Height and base length TA = arctan(BL / H)
Height and tipping angle BL = H × tan(TA)
Base length and tipping angle H = BL / tan(TA)

Example

If the vertical CG height is 2 m and the horizontal CG-to-pivot distance is 0.5 m, then:

TA = arctan((0.5) / (2)) ≈ 14.04^°

The ideal static boundary is approximately 14.03624347°, or 14.04° rounded to two decimals; the calculator’s angle answer shows three decimals. This is not a safe operating recommendation. Angular margin is the modeled tipping angle minus the entered comparison slope, and can be positive, zero, or negative. A positive margin alone does not establish safety. The equivalent static lateral factor is BL/H in g, calculated directly; it is not a dynamic rollover prediction. Near a numerical boundary the forward margin sign may be explicitly unresolved, and angles near 90° are shown with their positive complement rather than falsely reported as 90°.