How it works
Area = ½ × base × heightheight is measured at a right angle to the base
- base
- one side of the triangle
- height
- perpendicular distance from that side to the top point
- Area
- the space inside, in square units
If you only know the three side lengths, this base-and-height method will not work directly; you would use Heron's formula instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the area of a triangle with base 6 and height 4?
12 square units, from ½ × 6 × 4.
What is the formula for the area of a triangle?
Half the base times the height, ½ × base × height.
Does the type of triangle matter?
No. As long as you use the base and the perpendicular height, the same formula works for any triangle.
What if I only know the three sides?
Use Heron's formula, which works from the side lengths alone.