Calculator
Gutter and downspout calculator
Enter each gutter run along your eaves. We total the footage and count downspouts, elbows, hangers and end caps. Every rule we use is shown and can be changed.
Result
Enter your runs and press Calculate.
Before you order
- Seamless gutters are formed on site to each run length. Sectional gutters come in fixed lengths and need connectors.
- Gutter width and downspout size should match the roof area draining to them. Steep or large roof planes need more capacity.
- Ice dams tear gutters off in Ohio and Michigan winters. Attic ventilation and insulation matter as much as the hangers.
Gutter guide · Rotten fascia behind the gutters? Fascia and soffit calculator
How to use this tool
- List each eave run where you want a gutter, in feet.
- Set the downspout drop height and how many downspouts you want.
- Pick hanger spacing: tighter spacing handles snow and ice loads better.
- Read footage, parts and the planning range, then compare quotes on the same quantities.
Gutters in Ohio and Michigan
Freeze-thaw and ice dams are hard on gutters here. Hangers spaced closer together hold snow and ice better, and downspouts should discharge well away from the foundation on the flat clay soils common around Toledo and Detroit. Mature trees in older neighborhoods mean fall cleanings, which is where guards help most.
Gutter guard types compared
| Type | Keeps out | Maintenance | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen or perforated | Leaves | Rinse or brush off seeds and grit | Small debris passes through; can sag |
| Micro-mesh | Leaves, seeds, pine needles, most grit | Occasional rinse from the ground or a ladder | Fine mesh can clog with roof granules or pollen |
| Solid cover (reverse curve) | Most debris | Clean the lip and inside every few years | Heavy downpours can overshoot; placement under shingles matters |
| Foam or brush inserts | Large leaves | Pull and clean inserts | Hold seeds and moisture; short life |
Guards add a separate planning range when you check "Add gutter guards." Ice can still form on any gutter; attic ventilation and insulation matter most.
Get a free inspection or multiple bids
Free Asset Protection Inspection
Have the roof you're worried about looked at in person, at no cost and with no obligation. Homes, commercial buildings and HOA communities in Ohio and Michigan.
Inspections are done by our founder, Jonathan Blake, or, if you allow it, by the independent roofing and exterior contractor he works for.
Get three comparable bids
- Save or print this tool's result so every contractor starts from the same numbers.
- Ask at least three contractors for a written proposal on the same scope.
- Compare line by line: area, tear-off, repairs, materials, permits, warranty.
Why plan here first
| What you get | Midwest Roof Calculators | National cost websites | A first number on the doorstep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for Ohio and Michigan weather and permits | Yes | Rarely | Varies |
| Shows the formula and every assumption | Yes | Sometimes | Rarely |
| See results before giving contact details | Yes | Often not | No |
| Ranges labeled with what they include and exclude | Yes | Varies | Varies |
| Questions to ask every contractor | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Replaces an in-person inspection | No, and we say so | No | No |
General comparison of approaches, not of any named company.
Frequently asked questions
How many downspouts do I need?
The calculator suggests one per run and adds more on long runs, using a spacing rule you can change. Proper sizing depends on roof area, pitch and rainfall, so ask the installer to confirm.
What is a gutter run?
A continuous length of gutter between two ends or corners. Measure each run along the fascia.
How far apart should hangers be?
Follow the gutter manufacturer’s instructions. Snow and ice loads in Ohio and Michigan often call for closer spacing than in mild climates, so the spacing is editable.
Seamless or sectional gutters?
Seamless gutters are formed on site to each run length, so there are no joints along the run. Sectional gutters come in set lengths joined with connectors.
Want gutter quotes?
Takes about 30 seconds. No obligation, and we never sell your information.