How to Find the Area of a Parallelogram

Quick & easy steps to help you calculate the area of a parallelogram

Co-authored by Jake Adams

Last Updated: March 28, 2025 References

A parallelogram is defined as a simple quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides. If you need to find the area of a parallelogram, it's easily done with a simple formula.

Steps

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$Step 1 Write down the formula A = b h {\displaystyle A=bh} .$

$A$ stands for the area, $b$ stands for the length of your parallelogram, and $h$ stands for the height of your parallelogram.^{[1]
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Jake Adams
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The base is the length of the bottom side of the parallelogram.^{[3]
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The height is the length that a perpendicular line must travel from the bottom to the top of the parallelogram.^{[4]
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How did you get the formula?

Donagan

Top Answerer

In terms of calculating area, a parallelogram is exactly like a rectangle of the same base and height, so the area formula is the same for both figures.

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What is the difference between area and perimeter?

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Perimeter is the full length of the outline of a shape. It's the sum of the lengths of all the sides. Area is the amount of space contained within the perimeter.

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How do I find the area of quadrilaterals?

Donagan

Top Answerer

There are formulas for the area of specific quadrilaterals but none for "quadrilaterals" in general.

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