Area Calculator
Calculate the area of common two-dimensional shapes. Select a shape, enter the required dimensions, and get the area and perimeter instantly.
Your Result
Select a shape and enter its dimensions to see the area.
Understanding Area and Its Calculation
Area is the measure of a two-dimensional space enclosed by a boundary. It quantifies how much surface a shape covers. The standard unit of area in the International System of Units (SI) is the square meter (m²), but other common units include square feet (ft²), square inches (in²), acres, and hectares. While area measures a 2D surface, our Volume Calculator can be used to measure 3D space.
Area Formulas for Common 2D Shapes
Every shape has a specific formula to calculate its area. This calculator also provides the perimeter (or circumference for a circle) as a bonus calculation.
Rectangle
A four-sided polygon with four right angles. The area is found by multiplying its length by its width.
Square
A special type of rectangle where all four sides are equal in length. The area is the square of its side length.
Circle
A shape consisting of all points in a plane that are a given distance (the radius) from a given point (the center). Its area involves the mathematical constant Pi (π ≈ 3.14159).
Triangle
A three-sided polygon. The most common formula for its area uses its base and its perpendicular height. To find a missing side or height in a right-angled triangle, our Pythagorean Theorem Calculator may be useful.
Trapezoid
A quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides, known as the bases (a and b). The area is the average of the two bases multiplied by the height.
Practical Applications of Area Calculation
Calculating area is a fundamental skill with countless real-world uses across various fields:
- Home Improvement: Estimating the amount of paint, flooring, or tiles needed for a room.
- Real Estate: Determining the size (square footage or meterage) of a property, which is a key factor in its valuation.
- Gardening & Landscaping: Calculating the amount of fertilizer or grass seed required for a lawn.
- Agriculture: Measuring the size of a field to plan crop planting and estimate yields.
- Graphic Design & Engineering: A core concept in designing layouts, plans, and blueprints.
Mastering these simple calculations can save time and money in many personal and professional projects. For more tools, explore our full suite of Math calculators.