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Set the ladder up right.

Tell us how high you need to reach — get the exact base distance (the 4:1 rule), the ladder length to grab, and the safe climbing angle, with a diagram.

16 ft
The point the ladder leans against — gutter, eave, window, wall.
What are you doing?
Working from the ladder against a wall or gutter.
base ht 75.5°
0'
Base from wall
0'
Min ladder length
—
Size to grab

Before you climb

  • Set the feet so the base is 1/4 of the height out (the 4:1 rule).
  • Extend the ladder at least 3 ft above the roof edge and tie it off.
  • Keep three points of contact; don't stand on the top two rungs.

Based on the 4:1 rule (base out = reach height ÷ 4, ≈ 75.5°). "Min ladder length" is the straight-line length to the contact point; "size to grab" rounds up to a common ladder size and adds reach for roof access — extension ladders also need ~3 ft of section overlap, so size up. A planning aid — always follow the manufacturer's labels, OSHA guidance, and your own judgment.

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