Area of a Rectangle

Understanding the area of a rectangle is an important part of elementary geometry. Whether you are finding the space covered by a classroom floor, a notebook, a garden, or a rectangular playground, the area tells you how much surface is inside the shape.

In this guide, we will learn the area of a rectangle formula, understand why it works, solve examples step by step, and practice different types of rectangle problems.

What Is the Area of a Rectangle?

The area of a rectangle is the amount of surface or space enclosed inside its four sides.

A rectangle has:

• 4 sides

• 4 right angles

• Opposite sides of equal length

• Opposite sides that are parallel

For example, imagine a rectangle with a length of 8 cm and a breadth of 5 cm. The space covered inside the rectangle is its area.

Area of Rectangle Formula

The standard formula is:

Area = Length × Breadth

It can also be written as:

A = l × b

Where:

• A = Area

• l = Length

• b = Breadth or width

The answer is always written in square units, such as:

• cm²

• m²

• km²

• ft²

Example

Suppose a rectangle has:

Length = 8 cm
Breadth = 5 cm

Using the formula:

Area = Length × Breadth

Area = 8 × 5

Area = 40 cm²

Therefore, the area of the rectangle is 40 cm².

How to Find the Area of a Rectangle

Finding the area is simple when the length and breadth are known.

Step 1: Identify the length

Look at the longer side of the rectangle and note its measurement.

Step 2: Identify the breadth

Find the shorter side or width of the rectangle.

Step 3: Multiply the two measurements

Use:

Area = Length × Breadth

Step 4: Write the answer in square units

For example, if the measurements are in metres, the answer should be in square metres.

Why Is the Area of a Rectangle Length × Breadth?

Think of a rectangle divided into equal-sized squares.

Suppose a rectangle is 6 units long and 4 units wide.

There are:

6 squares in each row

and

4 rows

So the total number of square units is:

6 × 4 = 24

Therefore:

Area = 24 square units

This is why we multiply length by breadth to find the area of a rectangle.

Area of Rectangle Using Square Units

Area measures how many square units fit inside a shape.

For example, a rectangle that is 5 units long and 3 units wide can be divided into:

5 × 3 = 15

equal squares.

So its area is:

15 square units

Remember:

Length × Breadth = Number of Square Units

Solved Examples on Area of a Rectangle

Example 1: Find the Area

A rectangular notebook is 20 cm long and 15 cm wide. Find its area.

Given:

Length = 20 cm
Breadth = 15 cm

Formula:

Area = Length × Breadth

Calculation:

Area = 20 × 15

Area = 300 cm²

Answer: 300 cm²

Example 2: Find the Area of a Playground

A rectangular playground has a length of 25 m and a width of 12 m. What is its area?

Area = Length × Width

Area = 25 × 12

Area = 300 m²

Answer: The area of the playground is 300 m².

Example 3: Find the Missing Breadth

A rectangle has an area of 72 cm² and a length of 9 cm. Find its breadth.

We know:

Area = Length × Breadth

Therefore:

Breadth = Area ÷ Length

Breadth = 72 ÷ 9

Breadth = 8 cm

Answer: The breadth is 8 cm.

Example 4: Find the Missing Length

A rectangular garden has an area of 180 m² and a breadth of 12 m. Find its length.

Length = Area ÷ Breadth

Length = 180 ÷ 12

Length = 15 m

Answer: The length of the garden is 15 m.

Area of a Rectangle vs Perimeter of a Rectangle

Area and perimeter are different measurements.

Area

Area tells us how much space is inside a rectangle.

Area = Length × Breadth

The answer is given in square units.

Perimeter

Perimeter tells us the total distance around the rectangle.

Perimeter = 2 × (Length + Breadth)

The answer is given in ordinary units such as cm, m, or km.

Example

For a rectangle with length 10 cm and breadth 4 cm:

Area:

10 × 4 = 40 cm²

Perimeter:

2 × (10 + 4) = 28 cm

So:

Area = 40 cm²

Perimeter = 28 cm

Practice Area of Squares and Rectangles

Ready to apply what you've learned?

Master Class 6 Area of Squares and Rectangles with interactive practice questions on SuperC.

Start Area & Rectangles Practice →

Common Mistakes When Finding Rectangle Area

Students often make a few simple mistakes when solving area problems.

1. Forgetting the square unit

If the measurements are in centimetres, the area should be written in cm², not cm.

2. Adding instead of multiplying

Area is calculated using:

Length × Breadth

Do not add the sides when calculating area.

3. Mixing measurement units

Make sure the length and breadth use compatible units before calculating.

For example, convert metres and centimetres to the same unit first.

4. Confusing area with perimeter

Remember:

Area = space inside

Perimeter = distance around

Real-Life Uses of Rectangle Area

We use the area of rectangles in many everyday situations.

Flooring

The area of a room helps determine how much floor space needs to be covered.

Painting Walls

The surface area of a rectangular wall can help estimate the amount of paint needed.

Gardening

Gardeners can calculate the area of a rectangular garden to understand how much land is available.

Tiling

The area of a floor and the area of one tile can help determine how many tiles are needed.

Quick Formula Guide

Practice Questions

Try these questions on your own.

Question 1

A rectangle has a length of 12 cm and a breadth of 7 cm. Find its area.

Question 2

A rectangular field is 30 m long and 15 m wide. Find its area.

Question 3

The area of a rectangle is 96 cm² and its length is 12 cm. Find its breadth.

Question 4

A rectangle has an area of 150 m² and a breadth of 10 m. Find its length.

Question 5

A rectangular table is 2 m long and 1 m wide. What is its area?

Answers

1. 84 cm²

2. 450 m²

3. 8 cm

4. 15 m

5. 2 m²

Practice Area of Squares and Rectangles

Ready to apply what you've learned?

Master Class 6 Area of Squares and Rectangles with interactive practice questions on SuperC.

Start Area & Rectangles Practice →

Quick Revision

Let's remember the key points:

• A rectangle has four right angles.

• Area tells us the space inside a rectangle.

• The formula is Area = Length × Breadth.

• Area is measured in square units.

• If the area and one side are known, divide to find the missing side.

• Perimeter and area are different measurements.

Learn and Practice Maths with SuperC

Knowing the formula is only the beginning. The best way to become confident in maths is to solve different types of questions.

At SuperC, students can practise maths concepts with questions designed for their learning level.

Practise area, perimeter, geometry, measurement, and other maths topics, check your understanding, and build stronger problem-solving skills.

Start practising today and make maths easier, one question at a time.