See what fits under your tarp.
An ideal A-frame: straight ridge, equal slopes, fabric edges at ground level. Sag, stretch, seams, doors and sloping ground are omitted. Stake holding depends on soil and setup; no universal stake angle is prescribed. Wind bearings are a plan view, not a load or thermal prediction. Keep stoves and flames outside shelters.
Model details & unit conventions ↗Work out A-frame tarp floor width, wall angle and usable headroom from ridge height, with a table for a 3 m tarp and the formulas behind it.
Choose tarp size for camping: floor width, wall angle, sleeping length and fabric area for 2×3, 3×3 and 3×4 m tarps, with the arithmetic shown.
Work out tarp guyline length from ridge height and stake distance, then add a ridgeline allowance for tree spacing, trunk wraps and knots.
Pitch a tarp for wind by lowering the ridge, turning an open end away from the wind and keeping guylines tight, with the cost in headroom.
Compare two A-frame ridge heights on the same tarp. Work out how much usable ground width moves inward and how to check it before a trip.
Estimate the width under an A-frame tarp at a chosen height, then use Shelter Studio and a measured test pitch to check your sleeping space.
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