Essential Geometry Formulas

This page presents the most important geometry formulas for area, perimeter, circumference, volume, and surface area of common plane figures and solid shapes.


Right Triangle and Pythagorean Theorem

For a right triangle with legs \(a\) and \(b\), and hypotenuse \(c\):

\[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \] Right Triangle Illustration

Area and Perimeter of a Triangle

Triangle Diagram

Perimeter:

\[ P = a + b + c \]

Area formulas:

Using base \(b\) and height \(h\):

\[ A = \frac{1}{2} b h \]

Using two sides and the included angle:

\[ A = \frac{1}{2} bc \sin A \] \[ A = \frac{1}{2} ac \sin B \] \[ A = \frac{1}{2} ab \sin C \]

Heron's Formula (when all three sides are known):

\[ A = \sqrt{s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)}, \quad s = \frac{a+b+c}{2} \]

Area and Perimeter of a Rectangle

Rectangle Diagram \[ P = 2L + 2W \] \[ A = LW \]

Area of a Parallelogram

Parallelogram Diagram \[ A = b h \]

Area of a Trapezoid

Trapezoid Diagram \[ A = \frac{1}{2}(a + b)h \]

Circle: Circumference and Area

Circle Diagram \[ C = 2\pi r \] \[ A = \pi r^2 \]

Circular Sector: Arc Length and Area

Circular Sector Diagram

For central angle \(t\) in radians:

\[ s = r t \] \[ A = \frac{1}{2} r^2 t \]

Rectangular Solid (Rectangular Prism)

Rectangular Solid Diagram \[ V = LWH \] \[ SA = 2(LW + WH + HL) \]

Sphere: Volume and Surface Area

Sphere Diagram \[ V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3 \] \[ SA = 4\pi r^2 \]

Right Circular Cylinder

Right Circular Cylinder Diagram \[ V = \pi r^2 h \] \[ SA = 2\pi r h + 2\pi r^2 \]

Right Circular Cone

Right Circular Cone Diagram \[ V = \frac{1}{3}\pi r^2 h \] \[ SA = \pi r \sqrt{r^2 + h^2} \]

Related Geometry Resources