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Rafter Length Calculator · Free calculator

24 ft Span, 4/12 Pitch Rafter Length

On a 24-foot-wide building with a 4/12 roof, each common rafter is 12' 7" from ridge to wall, or 13' 7-5/8" with a 12" overhang — cut from a 14' board. The ridge sits 3' 11-3/4" above the top plate.

Quick answer

Rafter w/ 12" overhang
13' 7-5/8"
Line length
12' 7"
Buy
14' board
Ridge rise
3' 11-3/4"
Plumb cut
18.4°
Seat cut
71.6°

▍Rafter Length Calculator

ft
/12
in
Rafter length (incl. overhang)
13' 7-5/8"
Buy: 14' board
SPAN 24'RISE 3' 11-3/4"13' 7-5/8"
Line length
12' 7"
Overhang length
1' 0-5/8"
Run (− ½ ridge)
11' 11-1/4"
Total rise
3' 11-3/4"
Plumb cut
18.4°
Seat cut
71.6°

24' span @ 4/12 — overhang options

OverhangOverhang lengthTotal rafterStock length
0"0"12' 7"14'
12"1' 0-5/8"13' 7-5/8"14'
16"1' 4-7/8"13' 11-7/8"14'
24"2' 1-5/16"14' 8-5/16"16'

24' span at other pitches (12" overhang)

PitchRidge riseRafter lengthStock length
3/122' 11-13/16"13' 4"14'
4/123' 11-3/4"13' 7-5/8"14'
5/124' 11-11/16"14' 0-3/16"16'
6/125' 11-5/8"14' 5-9/16"16'
7/126' 11-9/16"14' 11-3/4"16'
8/127' 11-1/2"15' 6-9/16"16'
9/128' 11-7/16"16' 2-1/16"18'
10/129' 11-3/8"16' 10-1/16"18'
12/1211' 11-1/4"18' 3-9/16"20'

How the math works

  1. Run = span ÷ 2 − ½ ridge (1-1/2"): 144" − 3/4" = 11' 11-1/4"
  2. Slope factor for 4/12 = √(144 + 16) ÷ 12 = 1.0541
  3. Line length = 143.250" × 1.0541 = 12' 7"
  4. Overhang = 12" × 1.0541 = 1' 0-5/8"
  5. Total = 13' 7-5/8" → next stock length 14'

Rafter size (2x6 / 2x8 / 2x10 / 2x12) depends on spacing, species and snow load — check the IRC rafter span tables (Section R802) for your run.

Trade pro tips

  • The horizontal run for this roof is 11' 11-1/4" — that is the number to look up in the IRC rafter span tables.
  • Cut one pattern rafter, test it at both ends of the building, then use it to mark the rest.
  • Measure line length along the top edge from the ridge plumb cut to the birdsmouth heel.

Frequently asked questions

How long are the rafters for a 24 ft span with a 4/12 pitch?

12' 7" from ridge to wall line, 13' 7-5/8" including a 12" overhang (1-1/2" ridge board deducted). Buy 14' boards.

How tall is a 4/12 roof on a 24 ft wide building?

The ridge rises 3' 11-3/4" above the top of the wall plate (run 11' 11-1/4" × 4/12), not counting rafter depth.

What are the rafter cut angles for 4/12?

Plumb cut (ridge and tail) 18.4°, seat cut of the birdsmouth 71.6°. On a speed square, pivot to "4" on the common scale.

How many rafters for a 24 ft wide roof?

Two per rafter pair (one each side). Pairs = building length × 12 ÷ spacing + 1 — a 20 ft long 24' wide building at 16" OC takes 16 pairs (32 rafters) of 14' stock.