SiteScope Tech
Roofing

Roof Measurement App: Trace the Roof from Satellite

SiteScope lets you trace a roof on satellite imagery to get its footprint area and perimeter, and measure eaves, ridges, and gutter runs as lines. On site, your GPS-tagged photos land on the same map.

It measures. It does not read pitch or build a roof report. You apply pitch and waste in your own estimate.

Start for Free Footprint to Squares Math

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Roofer inspecting shingles on a residential roof

What You Can Measure on a Roof

Trace the roof footprint

Tap points around the roof edge on satellite imagery, overhangs included, and close the shape. You get the plan-view area in square feet and the perimeter in feet.

Measure eaves, ridges, and gutter runs

Draw a line along any run for its length in feet. Multi-point lines work for eaves that wrap a corner.

Carve out what is not in scope

Subtract an open courtyard, a section you are not bidding, or a flat area on a different system. The cutout comes off the total.

Photos pinned where you took them

On site, GPS-tagged photos show up on the project map. Circle and arrow damage or flashing right on the image.

How-to guide (your estimate, not an app feature)

How to Turn a Roof Footprint into Squares

A satellite trace gives plan-view area. Roofing is sold by sloped area. The pitch factor converts one to the other.

  1. Trace the roof edge, overhangs included, for the footprint.
  2. Multiply by the pitch factor for the slope.
  3. Divide by 100 for squares.
  4. Add waste for the roof style and round up.
Worked example

2,000 sq ft footprint at 6/12: 2,000 x 1.118 = 2,236 sq ft sloped, or 22.4 squares. With 10% waste, about 24.6, so 25 squares.

Pitch factor = the square root of (1 + (rise / 12) squared). On a multi-pitch roof, trace each plane as its own area.

Roof pitch multipliers
Pitch Multiply footprint by
3/12 1.031
4/12 1.054
5/12 1.083
6/12 1.118
7/12 1.158
8/12 1.202
9/12 1.250
10/12 1.302
12/12 1.414

Frequently Asked Questions

Can SiteScope measure a roof from satellite imagery?
Yes, in plan view. Trace the roof outline on the project map and SiteScope gives you the footprint area and perimeter. You can also measure individual runs as lines. Satellite imagery is flat, so the number is footprint, not sloped area.
Does SiteScope measure pitch or calculate roofing squares?
No. Pitch comes from you (a pitch gauge on site, the plans, or your judgment), and you apply it in your own estimate. The pitch table on this page shows the standard math.
Is SiteScope an aerial roof report service?
No. It does not sell or generate roof reports. You trace and measure yourself, keep your photos on the same map, and share the map by link if you want the homeowner to see it.
Do I need a LiDAR iPhone for roof measuring?
No. Satellite measuring and photos work in the SiteScope app on iPhone and Android and in the web app.
What can hide a roof edge on satellite imagery?
Trees, shadows, steep camera angles, and imagery that predates an addition or re-roof. Check those edges on site before you order material.

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Also see construction for site and interior measuring on the same project.

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Trace areas, subtract cutouts, and measure lengths on satellite imagery. Free plan, no credit card, on iPhone, Android, and the web.

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