Slope Calculator
Find the slope between two points, the equation of the line through them, the distance between them, and the angle of incline.
Points
Slope (m):
Line equation:
Distance between points:
Angle of incline:
Reading the slope
Slope (m) is "rise over run" — the vertical change (Δy) divided by the horizontal change (Δx) between two points. A positive slope rises from left to right, a negative slope falls, a slope of zero is a flat horizontal line, and an undefined slope (division by zero) means a vertical line — which is why this calculator reports "undefined" instead of a number when both points share the same x-coordinate.
Frequently asked questions
What does the y-intercept (b) in the equation mean? It's the point where the line crosses the y-axis (where x = 0) — combined with the slope, y = mx + b fully describes the straight line passing through both of your entered points.
How is the angle of incline calculated? It's the arctangent of the slope, converted from radians to degrees — this tells you the angle the line makes with the horizontal, which is useful for physical applications like ramps, roofs, or road grades.
Is slope the same as "grade" or "pitch"? They're related concepts expressed differently — grade is usually slope expressed as a percentage (rise/run × 100), while pitch (common in roofing) is often expressed as "rise per 12 units of run."