How to Determine the Grade of a Road

The grade of a road tells you how steep that it is. This is an important measurement in road cycling because the grade tells you if you will ride on flat land or if you will be going up a hill. The larger the grade, the steeper the hill. For example, a grade of 1 percent is flatter than a grade of 10 percent. To determine the grade of a road, use the formula grade equals rise divided by run.

Things You'll Need

  • 24-inch level
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the level on the road where you want to determine its grade.

    • 2
      Notice the bubble is between the two solid lines on this level. This means it is level.

      Raise the lower side of the level up until the level shows you are holding it level. There is usually a small cylinder with two lines and a bubble on the level. If the bubble is in between the two lines, then you are holding it level.

    • 3

      Measure from the side of the level you are holding in the air down to the road, using a tape measure or ruler. This measurement is the rise. For example, assume the rise is 10 inches.

    • 4

      Divide the rise measurement by the length of your level. The length of the level is the run. It is important to note the length of your level if you are not using a 24-inch level. In the example, you must divide 10 inches high by 24 inches long to calculate a grade of 0.4167. This is the grade in decimal form.

    • 5

      Multiply the grade in decimal form by 100 to convert it to a percentage. In the example, 0.4167 times 100 equals a grade of 41.67 percent.