Trapezoid Area Calculator
Enter the two parallel sides and the height between them to get the area of the trapezoid.
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Formula
- Area:
A = (a + b) ÷ 2 × h - Median:
m = (a + b) ÷ 2
Worked example
Parallel sides 6 and 10 with height 4: the median is (6 + 10) ÷ 2 = 8 and the area is 8 × 4 = 32.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the area of a trapezoid?
Area = (a + b) ÷ 2 × h, where a and b are the parallel sides. With a = 6, b = 10 and h = 4: (6 + 10) ÷ 2 × 4 = 32.
Which sides are a and b?
They are the two parallel sides, often called the bases. The other two sides, the legs, are not needed for the area.
What is the height of a trapezoid?
It is the perpendicular distance between the parallel sides, not the length of a slanted leg. Measure it at a right angle to the bases.
What is the median of a trapezoid?
The median joins the midpoints of the legs and equals (a + b) ÷ 2. For bases 6 and 10 it is 8, and multiplying by the height 4 gives the area, 32.