What are the different methods for calculating triangle area and when should I use each?

There are three main methods: 1) Base × Height ÷ 2 (use when you know base and height), 2) Heron's Formula using three sides (use when you know all side lengths), 3) Two Sides × Included Angle ÷ 2 (use when you know two sides and the angle between them). Each method is suited for different measurement scenarios.

What is Heron's formula and when should I use it?

Heron's formula calculates triangle area using only the three side lengths: Area = √[s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)], where s is the semi-perimeter (half the perimeter). Use this method when you know all three sides but not the height. It's particularly useful in surveying and when direct height measurement is difficult.

Can this calculator work with any type of triangle?

Yes! The calculator supports all triangle types: right triangles, acute triangles, obtuse triangles, equilateral triangles (all sides equal), isosceles triangles (two sides equal), and scalene triangles (all sides different). The calculator automatically classifies your triangle based on the side relationships.

How accurate is this calculator for real-world applications?

The calculator provides results accurate to 4 decimal places, which is sufficient for most practical applications. However, remember that your results are only as accurate as your input measurements. For critical engineering or construction applications, always double-check measurements and consider consulting professional resources.

What should I do if my three-sides calculation shows an error?

This usually means your sides don't satisfy the triangle inequality theorem (the sum of any two sides must be greater than the third side). Check that your measurements are accurate and form a valid triangle. Common mistakes include measurement errors or using the wrong units of measurement.

What's the difference between area and perimeter of a triangle?

Area measures the space inside the triangle (measured in square units), while perimeter measures the distance around the outside edge (measured in linear units). This calculator focuses on area calculation. For perimeter, simply add the three side lengths together.

Can I use this calculator for very large or very small triangles?

Yes, the calculator works with triangles of any size as long as the numbers are within the representable range. Very large numbers may lose precision, and very small numbers might be limited by floating-point precision. For extreme cases, consider converting to scientific notation for input.

How do I measure the height of a triangle for the base-height method?

The height must be measured perpendicular to the base. For a right triangle, the height is simply the side perpendicular to the base. For other triangles, drop a perpendicular line from the opposite vertex to the base line. This height measurement is often the most challenging to obtain accurately.

Triangle Area Calculator

Calculate triangle area using base-height, Heron's formula, or two-sides-angle methods. Perfect for geometry homework, construction projects, and surveying. Supports all triangle types with automatic classification and step-by-step solutions.

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Common Triangle Examples

Click examples to try triangle area calculations instantly

Triangle Measurements

Choose a calculation method and enter the required measurements

Calculation Method

Base

Height

How it works: Choose your calculation method. Base & Height is simplest when you know these measurements. Heron's Formula works with any three sides. Two Sides & Angle is useful for non-right triangles.

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