Overview
A parallelogram is a quadrilateral with both pairs of opposite sides parallel and equal. Its area is base times perpendicular height, and its perimeter is twice the sum of the base and side.
Formula
Area = b × h, perimeter = 2(b + s).
How it works
Choose the base
Pick one side as the base.
Find the perpendicular height
Measure the perpendicular distance between the base and the opposite side.
Multiply
Area = base × height.
Compute the perimeter
Add the base and side, then multiply by 2.
Worked examples
Example 1: base 10 and height 6
Area 60. With a side of 7, the perimeter is 34.
Example 2: base 12 and height 4.5
Area 54 square units.
Frequently asked questions
Is the side the same as the height?
No. The height is perpendicular to the base and equals the side only in a rectangle.
Are the diagonals equal?
Not generally, only in a rectangle. They always bisect each other.
How do I find the area from two sides and an angle?
Area = a × b × sin(included angle).
This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice.