A rectangle is a parallelogram with four sides. The opposite sides of a rectangle are congruent i.e. of equal length and the sides of the rectangle form an angle of 900 at the vertices. This article on how to calculate perimeter of a rectangle helps you in calculating perimeter of a rectangle using simple formula.
The perimeter of a rectangle is actually the distance around the outside of the rectangle. The formula for calculating perimeter of a rectangle is given as below.
Perimeter of a rectangle = 2 × side A + 2 × side B
You can also simplify the above formula as,
Perimeter of a rectangle = 2 (side A + side B)
- In the above formula side A and side B are the lengths of the sides A and B of the rectangle.
- In a rectangle, the two sets of parallel sides are of equal length.
- The lengths of sides that are used in the above formula for Side A and side B should not be same i.e. they should not be the lengths of the opposite sides.
- The values of lengths that are used in the above formula are the lengths of any two adjacent sides.
- Both the lengths should be in same units. If they are not in same units, then convert those using proper conversion factors.
- Calculate the values of the adjacent sides using a scale if you have not been given their measures. If you have their measures then, place them in the above formula and calculate perimeter of a rectangle.
- If you are good at calculations then you need not use any calculator for performing the calculation. You can easily calculate the perimeter of the rectangle manually. If you have difficulty in performing the calculations then use calculator.
- Online calculators are also available that will help you in calculating the perimeter of the rectangle much quickly.
Example:
Calculate perimeter of a rectangle whose one side is of length 2 cm and another side is of length 5 cm.
Let,
Side A = 2 cm
Side B = 5 cm
Now, using the above formula:
Perimeter of a rectangle = 2 (side A + side B)
= 2 (2 + 5)
= 20 cm
Practice examples:
- Calculate perimeter of a rectangle of side 34 cm and another side of 2 feet.
- Calculate perimeter of a rectangle of side 2 m and another side of 3.3 m.
Related Content: