Approach/Departure/Breakover Angle Calculator

The three off-road geometry angles — approach angle, departure angle, and breakover angle — tell you how steep a slope, ledge, or crest your vehicle can handle without scraping its bumpers or undercarriage. Enter your vehicle's ground clearance, wheelbase, front overhang, and rear overhang into the Approach/Departure/Breakover Angle Calculator to get all three angles in degrees. Select your preferred unit (inches, feet, cm, or meters) to match your measurements.

inches

Distance from ground to lowest point of undercarriage

inches

Distance between centers of front and rear axles

inches

Distance from front axle to front bumper

inches

Distance from rear axle to rear bumper

Results

Breakover Angle

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Approach Angle

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Departure Angle

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is approach angle?

Approach angle is the maximum angle of a ramp that a vehicle can climb from a horizontal plane without the front bumper or undercarriage scraping. It's measured from the front tire contact point to the lowest point of the front overhang.

What is departure angle?

Departure angle is the maximum angle a vehicle can descend without the rear bumper or undercarriage hitting the ground. It's measured from the rear tire contact point to the lowest point of the rear overhang.

What is breakover angle?

Breakover angle is the maximum angle that a vehicle can drive over (like a hill crest) without the undercarriage touching the ground. It depends on the wheelbase and ground clearance of the vehicle.

How are these angles calculated?

Approach and departure angles use arctangent of ground clearance divided by overhang length. Breakover angle uses the formula: 2 × arctan(2 × ground clearance / wheelbase). All results are converted to degrees.

Why are these angles important for off-roading?

These angles determine a vehicle's off-road capability. Higher angles mean better ability to navigate steep inclines, declines, and obstacles without damaging the vehicle's undercarriage or bumpers.

What are good angle values for off-road vehicles?

Good off-road vehicles typically have approach angles of 25-40°, departure angles of 20-35°, and breakover angles of 15-25°. Rock crawlers and specialized off-road vehicles often exceed these ranges.

How can I improve my vehicle's angles?

You can improve angles by increasing ground clearance with a lift kit, shortening overhangs with aftermarket bumpers, or installing skid plates. However, these modifications may affect other vehicle characteristics.