EVERYDAY CLARITY
Trapezoid Calculator
What is the area of a trapezoid from its parallel bases and height? Enter the values below to calculate the result.
Your result
area
length^2
midline
length
Result for the values shown.
Calculations run in your browser.
What to enter
| Input | Meaning and units |
|---|---|
| Side a (length) | Enter side a in length; use the same basis as the other measurements. |
| Side b (length) | Enter side b in length; use the same basis as the other measurements. |
| Height (length) | Enter height in length; use the same basis as the other measurements. |
Understanding your result
Read area (length^2), midline (length) in the units and model stated on this page. The formula midline=(a+b)/2 · area=midline*height defines the relationship; measurement accuracy and model applicability are separate from numerical precision.
Common mistakes
- Mixing input units or changing the physical meaning of a variable without changing the model.
Check your calculation
- Use the worked example as a known reference case, then change one input at a time and check the direction and units of the response.
Calculation checks, sources and review limits
What is the area of a trapezoid from its parallel bases and height?
What is the area of a trapezoid from its parallel bases and height? Enter the values below to calculate the result.
Common uses
- What is the area of a trapezoid from its parallel bases and height
How it works
midline=(a+b)/2; area=midline*height
Worked example
Enter Side a: 4 length; Side b: 8 length; Height: 3 length. Results: area: 18 length^2; midline: 6 length.