Hip and Valley Factor • Complete Reference Chart

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Table of Contents

• Related Pages
• What is a Hip and Valley Factor?
• Hip and Valley Factor Formula
• Hip and Valley Rafter Pitch is Different from the Roof Pitch
• Table of Hip and Valley Factors

Related Pages

• Roof Pitch Explained
• Roof Pitch Multiplier Table
• Roof Slope – Degrees to Roof Pitch (Rise-in-Run)
• Roof Slope Equivalents

The values in this chart apply to regular hips and valleys, where the roof sections have the same slope and meet to form a 90-degree angle:

What is a Hip and Valley Factor?

The hip and valley factor is a number that is multiplied by the run, or horizontal distance covered, of a common rafter to determine the length of a hip or valley rafter. Repeat, the horizontal distance covered, not the length, of a common rafter.

For precision, the thickness of the ridge board and any eave overhang should be taken into account when determining the run.

The hip and valley factor varies according to the slope of the roof, as shown in the table below.

Hip and Valley Factor Formula

For a roof slope expressed as “X-in-12” (rise-in-run), the hip and valley factor is determined by finding the square root of ((rise/run)² + 2) for the slope of the adjacent roof sections.

Divide the rise by the run (the run is 12). Square the result. Add 2. Find the square root of the result. 

Hip and Valley Rafter Pitch is Different from the Roof Pitch

On a related note, the pitch (properly the “slope”) of a hip or valley rafter will not be the same as the pitch of the adjacent roof sections.

While the slopes of the common rafters are expressed as “X-in-12″, the slope of the hip and valley rafter on the same roof will be “X-in-16.97“.

So where two roof sections intersect to form a 90° angle (a regular hip or valley), and each roof section has, for example, a 6-in-12 slope, the hip or valley rafter at that intersection will have a slope of 6-in-16.97.

Expressing the same thing using degrees: the roof sections in the above example have a 26.57° slope, while the hip or valley rafter will have a 19.47° slope.

Remember that the heel cut, seat cut, and head cut for a hip and valley rafter will have angles that reflect this difference in slope. Do not cut them according to a template you have been using for the common rafters.

Table of Hip and Valley Factors

One more thing: if you’re using this table, you should consider getting yourself a construction calculator. This one is very good (on Amazon).