Portable Ramp Length Calculator
Please Note: While Health & Safety guidelines recommend a gradient of 1:12 for general access and unassisted manual wheelchair users, this is very often impossible or impractical due to space constraints or restrictions.
We have drawn up this length calculator to give you suggested minimum lengths where space restrictions rule out the use of 1:12. Do not use ramps shorter than those suggested. Ramps should be carefully ‘tested’ with assistance when first used to confirm their safety in practice for your particular application. Remember, with Roll-a-Ramp you can add or remove treads to adjust the length (and consequently the gradient) yourself.
The suggestions in this calculator are based on the following ratios:
Manual Wheelchair
- 1:8 ‘Good’ For use with assistance
- 1:10 ‘Better’ Unassisted or assisted as necessary
- 1:12 ‘Best’ Unassisted
Electric Wheelchair / Scooter
- 1:6 ‘Good’
- 1:7 ‘Better’
- 1:8 ‘Best’
Now simply select the rise you need to climb and the type of chair you use. Remember to add 1 foot (30cm) which rests on the top level.
