Q:

# How do you calculate the square feet of an area?

A:

Area is the space covered by a two-dimensional shape. The two dimensions are often expressed in terms of length and height or length and width. Multiplying length by height gives the area of rectangular objects. If these objects are measured in feet, the area is in square feet.

Know More

## Keep Learning

Credit: Nancy Nehring Stockbyte Getty Images

1. ### Find the dimensions

Two perpendicular measurements are needed to calculate the area of most shapes. On a rectangle, measuring the sides can give you the dimensions you need because one side can be the length and the adjacent side can be the height. On many other shapes, measuring one or more flat sides and then the height (or greatest distance taken with a perpendicular line) often works.

2. ### Plug them into a formula for area

For rectangles, multiply the length (or base) by the width (or height). The units are also multiplied. For example, if you measured a wall at 12 feet long by 8 feet high, the area would be 96 square feet. Use the appropriate formula for the shape. For example, the area of a triangle is the height multiplied by the base and divided by two; the area of a circle is the radius squared multiplied by pi. If the shape is irregular, you may have to calculate the area in segments.

3. ### Convert to square feet

If you were working with units other than feet, convert the area to square feet. For example, if you used inches to measure the sides of the object, divide the resulting measurement in square inches by 144 to obtain the area in square feet.

Sources:

## Related Questions

• A:

The surface area of a cube is the total sum of the area of the six sides that cover it, and it is calculated by using the formula A = 6a^2. Measure the area of one side of the cube. Multiply that number by 6 to arrive at the total surface area of the cube.

Filed Under:
• A:

To calculate the area of a circle, square the radius and multiply by pi (approximately 3.14). This enables you to find the area of any circle.

Filed Under:
• A:

To find the area of a triangle without a right angle, you multiply one-half the base by the height. Obtuse triangles are included in this group.