Area of a Triangle Calculator

Base Length (e.g., cm, m, ft):

Height (e.g., cm, m, ft):

Understanding the Area of a Triangle

The area of a triangle is a fundamental concept in geometry, representing the amount of two-dimensional space enclosed by the triangle's three sides. It's a crucial measurement in various fields, from construction and engineering to art and design.

The Basic Formula

The most common and straightforward way to calculate the area of a triangle involves its base and height. The formula is:

Area = (Base × Height) / 2

Base: Any side of the triangle can be chosen as the base.
Height: The perpendicular distance from the chosen base to the opposite vertex (corner) of the triangle.

It's important that the height is measured at a 90-degree angle to the base. If the triangle is obtuse (has an angle greater than 90 degrees), the height might fall outside the triangle, requiring an extension of the base line to meet the perpendicular from the vertex.

How to Use the Calculator

Our Area of a Triangle Calculator simplifies this process for you. Simply input the length of the base and the corresponding height into the respective fields. The calculator will instantly provide you with the area of the triangle.

Enter Base Length: Input the numerical value for the base of your triangle. Ensure you use consistent units (e.g., if your base is in centimeters, your height should also be in centimeters).
Enter Height: Input the numerical value for the height of your triangle, perpendicular to the chosen base.
Click "Calculate Area": The calculator will process your inputs and display the area in "square units" (e.g., square centimeters, square meters, square feet).

Example Calculation

Let's say you have a triangle with a base of 10 units and a height of 5 units.

Base = 10
Height = 5

Using the formula:

Area = (10 × 5) / 2

Area = 50 / 2

Area = 25 square units

Our calculator would yield the same result, making it quick and error-free for any triangle where the base and height are known.

Other Methods for Calculating Area (Beyond this Calculator's Scope)

While this calculator focuses on the base-height method, it's worth noting that there are other ways to find a triangle's area depending on the information available:

Heron's Formula: If you know the lengths of all three sides (a, b, c), you can use Heron's formula. First, calculate the semi-perimeter (s = (a + b + c) / 2), then Area = √[s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)].
Using Trigonometry: If you know two sides and the included angle (e.g., sides a, b and angle C between them), the area can be calculated as Area = (1/2)ab sin(C).

These alternative methods are useful in different scenarios, but for the most common applications, the base and height formula remains the simplest and most widely used.