# Gutter Calculator

Calculate gutter materials needed for your home. Get linear feet, downspouts, hangers, elbows, and end caps. Supports 5" and 6" gutters. Free gutter calculator.

## What this calculates

Proper gutters protect your home's foundation and landscaping from water damage. This calculator estimates all the materials needed for a gutter installation: sections, downspouts, hangers, elbows, and end caps. Enter your roofline measurements to get a complete materials list.

## Inputs

- **Total Roofline Length** (ft) — min 0 — Measure all eaves where gutters will be installed
- **Gutter Size** — options: 5" K-style (standard residential), 6" K-style (large roofs), 5" half-round
- **Gutter Section Length** (ft) — min 5, max 32 — Standard sections: 10 or 16 feet
- **Downspout Spacing** (ft) — min 20, max 50 — Maximum 40 ft between downspouts
- **Downspout Height** (ft) — min 4, max 30 — Eave to ground height
- **Number of Corners** — min 0, max 20 — Inside and outside corners
- **Price Per Linear Foot** ($) — min 0 — Material only, typically $3-15/ft

## Outputs

- **Gutter Sections**
- **Total Gutter Length** (ft)
- **Downspouts**
- **Total Downspout Length** (ft)
- **Gutter Hangers** — Spaced every 24 inches
- **End Caps**
- **Elbows** — 2 per downspout (top and bottom)
- **Estimated Gutter Cost** — formatted as currency

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Q: How far apart should downspouts be?**

A: The maximum distance between downspouts should be 40 feet for 5-inch gutters. For 6-inch gutters, up to 50 feet is acceptable. Each downspout handles about 600 square feet of roof area. In heavy rain areas, space them closer together.

**Q: What size gutters do I need?**

A: 5-inch K-style gutters are standard for most residential homes. Upgrade to 6-inch gutters if your roof area exceeds 5,500 square feet, you live in a heavy rainfall area, or your roof has a steep pitch. Half-round gutters are aesthetically different but have less capacity than K-style.

**Q: How many gutter hangers do I need?**

A: Install gutter hangers every 24 inches (2 feet) for standard installations. In areas with heavy snow or ice, space hangers every 18 inches. Always place a hanger within 12 inches of each end cap and at seams.

**Q: What slope should gutters have?**

A: Gutters should slope 1/4 inch per 10 feet toward the downspout. For a 40-foot gutter run, that is 1 inch of drop. This ensures proper drainage without being visually noticeable. The low end connects to the downspout.

---

Source: https://vastcalc.com/calculators/construction/gutter
Category: Construction
Last updated: 2026-04-21