Triangle Area Calculator
Calculate the area of a triangle using base and height. The classic formula A = ½ × base × height.
The length of the base of the triangle
Minimum: 0
The perpendicular height from the base to the opposite vertex
Results
Area
30 sq units
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your input values
Fill in all required input fields for the Triangle Area Calculator. Follow the units and input format printed next to each field. Where a unit selector is available, choose the units that match your data.
Review your inputs
Double-check that all values are correct and match the units or format shown for each field. Incorrect units are the most common source of calculation errors and can produce results that are off by factors of 2, 10, or more.
Read the results
The Triangle Area Calculator computes the output in your browser and displays the results, with units clearly labeled, as soon as they are ready — no data sent to a server.
Explore parameter sensitivity
Try adjusting individual input values to see how the output changes. This is a quick and effective way to develop intuition about how different parameters influence the result and to identify which inputs have the largest effect.
When to Use This Calculator
- •Use the Triangle Area Calculator when you need a quick mathematical result without writing out all the steps manually, saving time on repetitive calculations.
- •Use it to verify hand calculations on tests or assignments and catch arithmetic mistakes.
- •Use it when teaching or explaining mathematical concepts to others, demonstrating how changing inputs affects the result.
- •Use it to explore the behavior of mathematical functions across a range of inputs.
Related Calculators
Triangle Area Calculator
Calculate the area of a triangle from its base and height using the formula A = (1/2) × base × height.
Isosceles Triangle Calculator
Calculate the area, perimeter, and height of an isosceles triangle from its equal side and base.
Scalene Triangle Area Calculator
Calculate the area of any triangle from its three side lengths using Heron's formula. Enter sides a, b, and c to compute the area without needing height or angles, perfect for surveying, land measurement, navigation, and general geometry problems.
Equilateral Triangle Calculator
Calculate the area, perimeter, and height of an equilateral triangle from its side length.
Heron's Formula Calculator
Calculate the area of a triangle from all three side lengths using Heron's formula.
Parallelogram Area Calculator
Calculate the area of a parallelogram using base times height (A = b*h). Enter the base length and the perpendicular height to find the area of this fundamental quadrilateral shape used in geometry, physics, architecture, and vector mathematics.
About Triangle Area Calculator
The triangle is one of the most fundamental shapes in geometry, and calculating its area is a skill used across mathematics, engineering, architecture, and science. A triangle is a polygon with three edges and three vertices. The simplest way to compute its area is with the formula A = ½ × base × height, where the height is the perpendicular distance from the chosen base to the opposite vertex. This formula works for all types of triangles — acute, right, and obtuse. Triangles are the building blocks of more complex polygons; any polygon can be divided into triangles, making triangle area a cornerstone concept. From surveying land parcels to designing roof trusses, this calculation appears constantly in practical applications. This calculator gives you the area instantly when you provide the base and height measurements.
The Math Behind It
Formula Reference
Triangle Area
A = ½ × b × h
Variables: b = base, h = perpendicular height
Worked Examples
Example 1: Sail area
A triangular sail has a base of 8 m and a height of 12 m.
A = 48 square meters
Example 2: Road sign
A yield sign has a base of 36 inches and height of 31.2 inches.
A = 561.6 square inches
Common Mistakes & Tips
- !Using a slant side instead of the perpendicular height.
- !Forgetting to multiply by ½, which gives the area of the full parallelogram instead.
- !Confusing the altitude (height) with one of the sides of the triangle.
Related Concepts
Used in These Calculators
Calculators that build on or apply the concepts from this page:
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I do not know the height?
Use Heron's formula if you know all three sides, or use A = ½ab sin(C) if you know two sides and the included angle.
Does the formula work for obtuse triangles?
Yes. The height may fall outside the triangle for obtuse triangles, but the formula A = ½bh still applies when the perpendicular height is measured correctly.
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