Parallelogram Area Calculator

Q: How do I calculate the square footage of a parallelogram?

Multiply the base by the perpendicular height. Area = Base x Height. A parallelogram with a 15-foot base and 10-foot height has an area of 150 square feet.

What is parallelogram square footage?

Parallelogram square footage equals base times perpendicular height. A parallelogram with a 12 ft (3.66 m) base and 6 ft (1.83 m) perpendicular height has 72 sq ft (6.69 m²). For a right-angle four-sided plot, use the rectangle calculator instead.

Getting started

How to Calculate Parallelogram Square Footage

To calculate parallelogram square footage, measure the base (one parallel side) and the perpendicular height between parallel sides in feet. Apply Area = base × height. The slanted sides are not used in the formula.

1. Measure the base

Measure one of the parallel sides as the base in feet.

2. Measure perpendicular height

Measure the straight perpendicular distance between parallel sides in feet.

3. Apply base × height

Parallelogram area = base × height. A 12 × 6 ft parallelogram has 72 sq ft.

Quick reference

Reference

1 acre = 43,560 square feet

1 square yard = 9 square feet

1 square meter = 10.764 square feet

1 square inch = 0.00064516 square feet

Material pricing

Calculate Cost of Materials

Parallelogram area times price per unit equals material cost. Apply to slanted garden beds, sloped walls, or skewed plots.

There are 2 steps to calculate material cost:

Enter the cost per square foot of pavers, sod, mulch, or paint for the parallelogram surface.
The Square Foot Calculator multiplies parallelogram area by your unit price for material total.

Parallelogram shapes have angled corners. Add 10% extra material for cuts at the slanted edges.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate the square footage of a parallelogram?

Multiply the base by the perpendicular height. Area = Base x Height. A parallelogram with a 15-foot base and 10-foot height has an area of 150 square feet.

What is the difference between a parallelogram and a rectangle?

A rectangle is a special type of parallelogram where all angles are 90 degrees. In a general parallelogram, the sides are slanted, but the area formula (Base x Height) works the same way.

How do I measure the height of a parallelogram?

The height is the perpendicular distance from the base to the opposite side. It is NOT the length of the slanted side. Measure at a 90-degree angle from the base.

Is a parallelogram the same as a rhombus?

A rhombus is a special parallelogram where all four sides are equal length. All rhombuses are parallelograms, but not all parallelograms are rhombuses.

Can I use this for slanted room layouts?

Yes, rooms with non-perpendicular walls form parallelogram shapes. Measure the base wall and the perpendicular height to calculate floor area.

What real-world shapes are parallelograms?

Parallelogram shapes appear in angled room layouts, decorative tile patterns, slanted garden beds, and architectural features. Any four-sided shape with two pairs of parallel sides is a parallelogram.

REFERENCES

Parallelogram Area
Calculator — Base × Height

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