Ladder Angle Calculator

Find safe ladder placement angle and base distance.

Base distance (4:1 rule) 0.25

Ladder length needed 1.031

Angle (°) 75.964

Formula: base = height ÷ 4 ; length = √(height² + base²)

Step-by-step with your numbers:

1. Values used:

2. Height to reach = 1

4. Base distance (4:1 rule) = 0.25

5. Ladder length needed = 1.031

6. Angle = 75.964°

Did we solve your problem today?

The 4:1 rule: for every 4 feet of height, the ladder base should be 1 foot from the wall.

The math behind it

base distance = wall height ÷ 4; ladder length = √(height² + base²). The result is about a 76° angle.

15 ft high → ~3.75 ft base, ~15.5 ft ladder.

How to measure?

You can also stand at the base and extend your arms — they should just reach a rung.