Perimeter and Area
⭐ MasteredPerimeter is the distance around a shape. Area is the space inside. For a rectangle: area = length × width.
A football pitch has an area of about 7,000 square metres.
All about Perimeter and Area
Perimeter is the total distance around the outside of a shape. To find it, add up the length of every side. Area is the amount of flat space inside a shape, measured in square units such as square centimetres.
For a rectangle, area = length × width.
Perimeter and area measure two different things about a shape.
🎮 Try it yourself!
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👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows a rectangle being filled with small squares. Watch how the squares cover the inside to show the area, and how the edges are traced to show the perimeter.
Real-life uses of Perimeter and Area
- Working out how much fencing a garden needs (perimeter)
- Calculating how much carpet a room needs (area)
- Planning a playground or sports pitch
Frequently asked questions about Perimeter and Area
What is the difference between perimeter and area?
Perimeter measures the distance around a shape. Area measures the space inside it.
What units are used for area?
Square units such as square metres (m²) or square centimetres (cm²).
How do you find the area of a triangle?
Multiply the base by the height, then divide by two.