How do I use this online inclinometer?+
Grant sensor access, click "Start Measuring" and put your device on the surface. Inclination angles (X-axis) and tilt angles (Y-axis) will update live. Press Zero to define a reference point.
How precise is this inclinometer?+
The accuracy is limited by the quality of the accelerometer of your device. It's definitely enough for home projects; for professional use, get a professional level.
Is my data private?+
Yes. Your sensor data is analyzed live in your browser — we don't save any measurement results and don't transfer anything to our server.
What is it good for?+
Photography, solar panel installation, construction work, carpentry, vehicle leveling, plumbing, and any other job requiring angle measurement.
How do I account for the bump under the camera lens?+
Place the phone flat, notice the wrong result and press Zero — the tilted position becomes your new 0 degrees.
Do I have to install an app?+
No. This tool works completely in your mobile browser — you don't need to download any application from app stores.
How does this compare to a real spirit level, accuracy-wise?+
A physical bubble level has no electronics to drift, so for a single quick check it's still the gold standard. A phone's accelerometer will typically land within a degree of a physical level once you've zeroed out any case or camera-bump offset — plenty close for framing, shelving, or a rough roof-pitch check. For anything going into an engineering drawing or a permit application, use a calibrated instrument and treat this tool as a fast second opinion, not the record of truth.
Can I use this to check slope angle for backcountry or avalanche assessment?+
People do use phone-based inclinometers this way as a lighter alternative to a compass-mounted clinometer, and it works for a quick read. But battery drain in cold weather, glove-friendliness, and the stakes involved mean most experienced backcountry travelers still carry a dedicated, purpose-built clinometer as their primary tool and treat a phone reading as a cross-check, not a replacement.
Does surface texture affect the reading — like asphalt shingles or gravel?+
Yes. A textured or uneven surface can tilt the phone by a degree or two even when the underlying structure is a clean angle. On asphalt shingle roofs, take two or three readings a few inches apart and average them, or measure against a rafter in the attic instead, where the surface is flat lumber rather than granuled shingle.
Can this check ADA ramp slope compliance?+
You can use it to get a fast read on whether a ramp is in the right neighborhood — ADA generally caps running slope at 1:12 (about 4.8°, roughly 8.3% grade — see the
conversion table). For anything that needs to be documented for an inspection or sign-off, use a calibrated digital level or surveying instrument; a phone reading isn't a substitute for a certified measurement on a compliance report.