A circumference of a circle is the length of the outer rim of the circle. We can calculate the circumference of the circle either by using the length of the diameter of the circle or by using the length of the radius of the circle. This article on how to calculate circumference of a circle helps you in calculating circumference of a circle using simple formula.
A circumference of a circle is sometimes called the perimeter of the circle. You can also say that the circumference of a circle is the distance around the closed curve.
The formula for calculating circumference of a circle from its diameter is,
C = π × d
The formula for calculating circumference of a circle from its radius is,
C = π (2 × r)

In the above formulae,
- “π” is a constant whose value is 3.14 or 22/7
- “d” is the diameter of the circle
- “r” is the radius of the circle
How to calculate circumference of a circle:
- Diameter of a circle is the line that passes through the center of the circle and touches two ends of the circle.
- To calculate circumference of a circle using the first formula, you need to know the value of the diameter of the circle.
- If you have not been given the value of diameter of the circle, then you can draw diameter to the given circle and measure it.
- Place the calculated value in the above formula and calculate the circumference of the circle.
- Diameter of a circle can also be calculated from the radius of the circle. Diameter of a circle is double the radius of the circle i.e.
Diameter = 2 × Radius
- Radius of a circle is the line that originates from the center of the circle and touches the outer part of the circle.
- If you have been given the value of radius of the circle, then substitute it the second formula and get the circumference calculated.
- If you don’t know the value of radius of a circle then you can draw a radius to the circle and measure its length using a scale.
- Place the measured value in the second formula and get the circumference calculated.
- You can also calculate radius of a circle from the diameter of the circle. Radius of a circle is half of the diameter of the circle i.e.
Radius = (1/2) Diameter
- Select appropriate equation depending upon the data available with you.
Example:
- Suppose diameter of a circle is 8 cm and you have to calculate circumference of the circle.
Using the equation for calculating circumference from diameter,
C = π × d
Therefore,
C = 3.14 × 8
C = 25.12 cm
- Suppose radius of a circle is 3 m and you have to calculate circumference of a circle.
Using the equation for calculating circumference from radius,
C = π (2 × r)
Therefore,
C = 3.14 (2 × 3)
C= 3.14 × 9
C = 28.26
You can also use online calculator for calculating circumference of a circle. Select the appropriate calculator depending upon the data available with you and insert the values in the text boxes and get the circumference calculated.
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