Geography & Earth
Basic

Slope / Gradient

Steepness of terrain as a percentage.

Formula

gradient=riserun×100%\text{gradient} = \frac{\text{rise}}{\text{run}} \times 100\%

Variables

riseVertical change
runHorizontal distance

Example

A road rising 5 m over 100 m has a gradient of 5%.

Did You Know?

Road signs give steepness as a percent grade — a 10% grade rises 10 meters for every 100 traveled.

slopeterraingradient