How is pitch usually expressed?

Pitch is commonly expressed numerically as a fraction that represents the vertical rise of a roof or surface compared to its horizontal run. For instance, a pitch of 4:12 indicates that for every 12 horizontal units, there is a 4-unit vertical rise. This fractional representation provides a clear and standardized understanding of how steep a roof is, which is crucial for determining drainage, aesthetics, and compatibility with roofing materials.

The other expressions, while they can convey information about pitch, do not provide the same clarity or uniformity. Pitch as a degree would refer to the angle of the roof, which can be less intuitive for many besides those familiar with trigonometry. Percent may also be used, but it is often less common and may require additional calculations to convert from the more standard fractional representation. Lastly, feet are typically used to measure lengths or dimensions, which does not directly convey the concept of pitch without additional context.