What is Area?
The amount of space inside a 2-D figure, measured in square units
Area is the amount of space a flat shape covers. It tells us how many square units fit inside a two-dimensional figure, like a rectangle, triangle, or circle.
When we measure area, we're really asking: "How many of these 1-by-1 squares can fit inside this shape?"
Since we're counting squares that cover flat space, we use square units such as:
- Square inches (in²)
- Square feet (ft²)
- Square centimeters (cm²)
Examples of how to calculate area for common shapes include:
- A rectangle that is 4 units wide and 3 units long has an area of 12 square units (4 × 3 = 12).
- A square with each side measuring 5 units has an area of 25 square units (5 × 5 = 25).
- A triangle’s area is calculated using ½ × base × height.
In real life, area helps us find solutions to questions such as:
- How much space does this shape take up?
- How much paint do we need to cover a wall?
- How big is a garden, floor, or field?
When Do Students Learn About Area?
Students begin learning about area in elementary school as part of their measurement and geometry work, and their understanding grows with each grade level.
Grades 2–3 – Introduction to Area
Students explore area using grids, tiles, and visuals. They learn to count square units and begin calculating the area of rectangles and squares.
Grades 4–5 – Calculating Area of More Shapes
Students learn area formulas for rectangles, triangles, and other polygons. They solve word problems and apply area to real-world scenarios.
Grades 6+ – Area in Advanced Geometry
Students use area in coordinate geometry, solve problems involving irregular shapes, and apply formulas to circles and composite figures.
