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Area of a Circle Calculator

Calculate the area of a circle from radius, diameter, or find the radius from area. Instant results with the formula: A = πr²

Circle Area Calculator

rdA = πr²

Area Formula: A = πr²

From Diameter: A = π(d/2)² = πd²/4

cm
cm
cm²

Tip: Enter radius, diameter, or area - the other values calculate automatically!

Enter radius, diameter, or area to calculate

All circle properties will be calculated automatically

What is the Area of a Circle?

The area of a circle is the amount of space enclosed within the circle's boundary (circumference). It represents the total surface covered by a perfectly round shape. Area is measured in square units, such as square centimeters (cm²), square meters (m²), or square inches (in²).

Unlike the circumference, which measures the distance around a circle, the area measures the space inside. Understanding circle area is essential in countless real-world applications, from calculating the size of a pizza to determining the coverage area of a sprinkler system.

Key Circle Terms for Area

  • Radius (r): Distance from center to edge - the key measurement for area calculations
  • Diameter (d): Distance across the circle through center (d = 2r)
  • Area (A): The space enclosed within the circle, measured in square units
  • Pi (π): The mathematical constant ≈ 3.14159265359, essential for all circle calculations

Area of a Circle Formula

The fundamental formula for calculating the area of a circle uses the radius. If you know the diameter or circumference instead, you can derive the radius first or use alternative formulas.

Primary Formula (Using Radius)

A = πr²

Where A is area, π ≈ 3.14159, and r is the radius

Using Diameter

A = πd²/4

Where d is the diameter (since r = d/2)

Why does the formula use r² (radius squared)?

The area of a circle is proportional to the square of its radius. This means if you double the radius, the area increases by a factor of 4 (2² = 4). If you triple the radius, the area increases by a factor of 9 (3² = 9). This squared relationship is why circles grow much larger in area than their radius might suggest.

How to Find Radius from Area

Sometimes you know the area and need to find the radius. By rearranging the area formula, you can solve for radius:

r = √(A/π)

1

Divide the area by π (3.14159...)

This gives you r²

2

Take the square root of the result

This gives you the radius

Example: Area = 78.54 cm²

r = √(78.54 ÷ 3.14159) = √25 = 5 cm

Complete Circle Formulas Reference

To FindFormulaGiven
AreaA = πr²Radius
AreaA = πd²/4Diameter
AreaA = C²/(4π)Circumference
Radiusr = √(A/π)Area
Diameterd = 2√(A/π)Area
CircumferenceC = 2√(πA)Area

How to Calculate Area: Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1: Find area from radius

A circular garden has a radius of 7 meters. Find its area.

Given: r = 7 m

Formula: A = πr²

Step 1: Square the radius: 7² = 49

Step 2: Multiply by π: π × 49 = 3.14159 × 49

Answer: A = 153.94 m²

Example 2: Find area from diameter

A circular table has a diameter of 1.2 meters. What is its surface area?

Given: d = 1.2 m

Step 1: Find radius: r = d/2 = 1.2/2 = 0.6 m

Step 2: Apply formula: A = πr² = π × (0.6)²

Step 3: Calculate: A = π × 0.36 = 1.131

Answer: A = 1.13 m²

Example 3: Find radius from area

A circular pool has an area of 314.16 square feet. What is its radius?

Given: A = 314.16 ft²

Formula: r = √(A/π)

Step 1: Divide by π: 314.16 ÷ 3.14159 = 100

Step 2: Take square root: √100 = 10

Answer: r = 10 feet

Real-World Applications of Circle Area

Construction & Landscaping

Calculate material needed for circular patios, ponds, fountains, and garden beds. Determine concrete volume for circular foundations and the coverage area of round structures.

Manufacturing

Calculate the surface area of circular components like wheels, gears, and discs. Essential for material cost estimation and quality control in production.

Agriculture

Determine irrigation coverage for circular pivot systems. Calculate the area of grain silos, storage tanks, and circular crop fields for yield estimation.

Food Industry

Calculate pizza sizes, cake portions, and circular serving areas. Compare value between different sized circular products like pies and tortillas.

Sports & Recreation

Calculate the area of circular fields, targets in archery and darts, and swimming pools. Used for maintaining playing surfaces and equipment specifications.

Science & Medicine

Calculate cross-sectional areas of blood vessels, cells, and biological structures. Essential in physics for calculating pressure on circular surfaces.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Diameter Instead of Radius

The formula A = πr² uses the radius, not diameter. If you use diameter by mistake, your answer will be 4 times too large. Always divide diameter by 2 first.

Forgetting to Square the Radius

The formula is πr², not πr. Forgetting to square the radius gives an answer that's too small (it would actually give you half the circumference, not the area).

Wrong Units for Area

Area is measured in square units (cm², m², in²). If radius is in centimeters, area is in square centimeters. Don't forget the "squared" part of the unit.

Confusing Area with Circumference

Area (A = πr²) measures enclosed space. Circumference (C = 2πr) measures distance around. They have different formulas and different unit types.

Practice Problems

Problem 1: Basic Calculation

Find the area of a circle with radius 5 cm.

Show Solution

A = πr² = π × 5² = π × 25 = 78.54 cm²

Problem 2: Using Diameter

A pizza has a diameter of 14 inches. What is its area?

Show Solution

r = d/2 = 14/2 = 7 inches

A = πr² = π × 7² = π × 49 = 153.94 in²

Problem 3: Finding Radius

A circular rug has an area of 50.27 square feet. What is its radius?

Show Solution

r = √(A/π) = √(50.27/3.14159) = √16 = 4 feet

Problem 4: Comparison

Which has more area: a circle with radius 6 cm or a circle with diameter 10 cm?

Show Solution

Circle 1: A = π × 6² = 113.10 cm²

Circle 2: r = 10/2 = 5 cm, A = π × 5² = 78.54 cm²

Circle 1 (radius 6 cm) has more area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the formula for the area of a circle?

The area of a circle is A = πr², where A is the area, π (pi) is approximately 3.14159, and r is the radius. If you have the diameter, use A = πd²/4 or first convert diameter to radius (r = d/2).

How do you find the area of a circle from the diameter?

First divide the diameter by 2 to get the radius, then use A = πr². For example, if diameter is 10 cm: radius = 5 cm, area = π × 5² = 78.54 cm². Alternatively, use A = πd²/4 directly.

How do you find the radius from the area of a circle?

Use the formula r = √(A/π). Divide the area by π (3.14159...), then take the square root of the result. For example, if area = 100 cm², radius = √(100/3.14159) = √31.83 = 5.64 cm.

What is the area of a circle with radius 10?

A = πr² = π × 10² = π × 100 = 314.159 square units. The units depend on the radius measurement (cm² if radius is in cm, in² if in inches, etc.).

Can the area and circumference of a circle be equal?

Yes, when the radius equals 2 units. At r = 2: Area = π × 2² = 4π and Circumference = 2π × 2 = 4π. Both equal approximately 12.566. However, they have different unit types (area in units², circumference in units).

How do you find area from circumference?

First find the radius: r = C/(2π), then calculate area: A = πr². Or use the direct formula: A = C²/(4π). For example, if C = 31.42, then A = (31.42)²/(4 × 3.14159) = 78.54.

Why is the area formula πr² and not 2πr?

2πr is the circumference formula (distance around). Area requires squaring the radius because you're measuring two-dimensional space. The πr² formula comes from calculus, representing the sum of infinitely many thin concentric rings.

If you double the radius, what happens to the area?

The area quadruples (becomes 4 times larger). Since A = πr², if you replace r with 2r: A = π(2r)² = π × 4r² = 4πr². This is why the area grows much faster than the radius.

Related Calculators

Conclusion

The area of a circle formula A = πr² is one of the most fundamental concepts in geometry with countless practical applications. Whether you're calculating the size of a pizza, designing a circular garden, or solving homework problems, understanding this formula is essential.

Our free Area of a Circle Calculator makes these calculations instant and accurate. Simply enter any measurement—radius, diameter, or area—and get all other circle properties with step-by-step explanations. No more manual calculations or worrying about π approximations!

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