The clinometer * app is the (hopefully most accurate) slope finder tool for any mobile device. It can be used for simple applications like aligning a frame as well as for more sophisticated fields of applications where an arbitrary slope needs to be measured exactly. It is designed to be as accurate as possible (normally in the range of ±0.1 degrees, although this might depend on the device).

With this tool, the slope can be measured by all edges of the device in every direction. When the device is put flat on the table a bubble view will fade in.



User Manual

We’ll highlight some features, other should be self explanatory. First about the calibration: You can calibrate the device in five directions independently. This is because the accelerometers give different deviations for each axis. However you can easily choose to calibrate the directions on demand.

Simple calibration

Switch off the fullscreen mode (tap on the center on the screen) in case you don’t see the buttons on screen. Put the device flat on a table or hold the device in one of the four directions perpendicular to the surface (bottom side down, bottom side up, left side up or left side down). While holding the device, press the button that automatically gets enabled if you are holding the device correctly. Then just click finish and the calibration should be accurate as long as the surface was properly leveled.

Two-way calibration

If you are not sure if the surface you are using is levelled, you can choose to do a two-way calibration. First, start with the bubble calibration. Put the device flat on a table. Press the Bubble Up button. Then rotate the device by 180°.

When the indicated level has stabilized, press the Turn and recalibrate Button. Now even if the surface was not levelled you will have a correct calibration.

Now proceed with the other sides, where the clinometer will be shown. Hold the device with the left side up. While holding the device press the button that automatically gets enabled if you hold the device correctly. Then rotate the device so that the left side is facing upwards.

Press the Turn and recalibrate button. Repeat the same procedure for the right side up. You may choose a level surface on the upper side to use as a reference because otherwise the volume buttons will be located between the surface and the device which will prevent an accurate calibration.

Finally repeat the steps again with the bottom down and bottom up sides.

With respect to the bottom up side – since the power button is often on this side – you should use the bottom of the device as a reference instead. For example, you can use a door frame or the ceiling as a reference. If you find a better reference point, please share your experience.

Motion sensitive lock

When you press the lock button you will notice a red flashing indicator. It tells you to set the device in a stable position. When the device is motionless for some time it will lock and you can pick up the device again to get a reading. The sensitivity of this locking can be adjusted in the settings.

Speech synthesis *

You can enable the speech synthesis in the settings. It will speak the current reading whenever it changes.


Further information and contact
According to wikipedia: An inclinometer or clinometer is an instrument for measuring angles of slope (or tilt), elevation or inclination of an object with respect to gravity. It is also known as a tilt meter, tilt indicator, slope alert, slope gauge, gradient meter, gradiometer, level gauge, level meter, declinometer, and pitch & roll indicator.

For recreational use only. After the calibration it CAN (!) be very accurate especially for the main axis after calibration. The measurement is performed as good as possible (we try our best) by using the three inbuilt accelerometers.

* Currently iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad) only

16 thoughts on “Clinometer

  1. Dave Scott

    I use this app for adjusting wheel camber angle on my car. The voice readings are very helpful when you need to be under the car whilst the ipad is against a straight edge on the outside of the wheel.

    Caster angle is possible, but has some unusual procedures to calculate it. It is outside the core function, I think.

  2. Roland

    One of the best apps I could use in my line of work in the field.
    It’s a great tool that’ll give the people in the field another means of decision making.
    I’m impressed how user-friendly the application is.
    Anyone who need such tool will most certainly jump on it,
    and get the information they need within minutes
    without reading the manual.
    Thank you.

  3. Joe tTorre

    I am a supervisor of construction inspection of a national laboratory and I used it to find the angle of slope for when we do deep excavations as the requires one-on-one and a half slopes this app works great and easy to use. Joe

  4. Pieter

    Very useful tool for measuring range of motion in physiotherapy patients. Makes it very easy to evaluate the given treatment.

  5. Gary

    Remarkably useful for bldg projects – Used it to align wall studs, floor & wall-mounted cabinets, and doors & frames in my basement rebuild with high accuracy.

Comments are closed.