What is the recommended ground-to-ladder angle for most portable ladders?

• A. Approximately 75 degrees
• B. 60 degrees
• C. 90 degrees
• D. 30 degrees

Answer: (A)

Safe ladder setup relies on a stable angle to prevent slipping or tipping. The best practice is the 4:1 rule: for every four feet of ladder height, place the base about one foot away from the wall. This puts the ladder at roughly 75 degrees to the ground, giving a good balance of friction and balance so you can climb with three points of contact and reduced risk of the base sliding or the top tipping. For a ladder you plan to reach a height H, aim for a base distance about H/4. For example, a 20-foot ladder should have its base about 5 feet from the wall. Angles around 60 degrees are too shallow and can slide out at the base, while nearly vertical (90 degrees) or very shallow (30 degrees) are unstable and unsafe.