Trapezoid Area Calculator
Enter the lengths of the two parallel sides and the perpendicular distance between them.
Result
- Median (midsegment)
- 8 cm
Formula
- Area = ½ × (a + b) × h
- Median = (a + b) ÷ 2
How the Trapezoid Area Calculator works
A trapezoid has one pair of parallel sides, called the bases. Its area is the average of the two bases multiplied by the height, the perpendicular distance between them.
The formula works because two identical trapezoids fit together into a parallelogram with base a + b and the same height.
Worked example
With parallel sides of 6 cm and 10 cm and a height of 4 cm: area = ½ × (6 + 10) × 4 = 32 cm².
Frequently asked questions
Is a trapezoid the same as a trapezium?
In American English a trapezoid has one pair of parallel sides. British English calls that shape a trapezium.
Does the slant of the sides affect the area?
No. Only the two parallel sides and the perpendicular height matter.
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