Get user role in WordPress

get-user-role.php

<?php
/*
 * Get user's role.
 *
 * If $user parameter is not provided, returns the current user's role.
 * Only returns the user's first role, even if they have more than one.
 *
 * @param mixed $user User ID or object. Pass nothing for current user.
 *
 * @return string The User's role, or an empty string if none.
 */
function km_get_user_role( $user = null ) {
	$user = $user ? new WP_User( $user ) : wp_get_current_user();

	return $user->roles ? $user->roles[0] : '';
}

Very handy. Thanks!