Parallelogram Area Calculator
Calculate the area of a parallelogram
By Drew Budwin · Last updated July 2026 · Methodology
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Parallelogram Area Calculator Formula
Area of a parallelogram:
A = base × height
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the base length of the parallelogram.
- Enter the perpendicular height (the distance between the two parallel bases, not the slant side length).
- Click Calculate Area to see the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a parallelogram?
A parallelogram is a quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides. Rectangles and rhombuses are special cases of parallelograms. The area formula (base times perpendicular height) is the same as for a rectangle.
What is the difference between perpendicular height and slant height?
The perpendicular height is the shortest distance between the two parallel bases, measured at a right angle to the base. The slant side (the diagonal edge of the parallelogram) is longer. This calculator requires the perpendicular height.
What units are used?
This calculator is unit-agnostic. The result is in the square of whatever unit you use for base and height.
Can I calculate the area using the side lengths and an angle?
Yes. An alternative formula is A = a × b × sin(θ), where a and b are adjacent sides and θ is the angle between them. This calculator uses the base × height method, which is simpler when you know the perpendicular height.
What is the perimeter of a parallelogram?
The perimeter is P = 2(a + b), where a and b are the lengths of the two pairs of parallel sides. Unlike area, the perimeter does not depend on the height or angle of the parallelogram.
How does a parallelogram relate to a rectangle?
Shear a rectangle — push the top sideways while keeping the base fixed — and you get a parallelogram with the same area. Base and perpendicular height stay the same, so A = base × height still holds even though the shape looks slanted.
Why is the perpendicular height used in the formula instead of the slant side?
The area formula counts the vertical space the shape actually occupies. The slant side is longer than the height because it travels at an angle. If you have the slant side and a base angle, use h = slant × sin(angle) to find the perpendicular height first.
What is the area of a rhombus?
A rhombus is a parallelogram with four equal sides. You can use A = base × height here, or the diagonal formula A = (d₁ × d₂) / 2. Both give the same result. The base × height method works whenever you know the perpendicular distance between opposite sides.