How to use the area and perimeter worksheet generator
- Choose the shapes: rectangles only, or rectangles mixed with L-shapes.
- Enter the number of problems, from 1 to 30.
- Enter a worksheet number. The same number always makes the same worksheet, so you can print the sheet now and the key later.
- Tick Show the answer key to see the answers, then print. Leave it unticked for a clean student copy.
Formula
Rectangle: area = length x width, and perimeter = 2 x (length + width)
L-shape from a rectangle with a notch: area = length x width - notch length x notch width
The notch is cut from a corner, so the perimeter of the L-shape equals the perimeter of the full rectangle
Area is in square units and perimeter is in units
The notch trick is worth teaching. Cutting a corner out of a rectangle removes area but leaves the distance around the shape unchanged, because the two new sides replace the two sides that were cut.
The first problems of worksheet number 1
Problem 1 asks for a rectangle that is 10 by 2. The area is 20 and the perimeter is 2 x (10 + 2) = 24. Problem 3, a rectangle that is 10 by 9, has an area of 90 and a perimeter of 38.
Problem 2 is an L-shape made from a 10 by 12 rectangle with a 7 by 4 notch cut from one corner. The area is 120 - 28 = 92 and the perimeter is 2 x (10 + 12) = 44. Problem 4, a 9 by 12 rectangle with a 4 by 6 notch, has an area of 84 and a perimeter of 42.
Using the sheet in practice
The sheets suit a short practice session or a quiz. Rectangles alone fit a first lesson on the difference between area and perimeter, and the mixed set adds composite shapes for students who are ready to split a figure or subtract a notch. Change the worksheet number to get a fresh sheet, and keep a note of the numbers you have used.
Students can check their answers with the area calculator, and the square footage calculator applies the same idea to rooms and floors.
Common mistakes to watch for
Students often add the two sides given instead of all four, or multiply when they should add. Another mistake is to mix up the units, writing square units for a perimeter. For L-shapes, some students subtract the notch sides from the perimeter. The answer key shows the area and the perimeter together so you can see which one went wrong.
For other skills, see the fraction calculator and the GCF and LCM calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- All lengths are whole numbers of the same unit. The unit is left for you to name.
- Shapes are described in words and are not drawn. Students may sketch them.
- L-shapes are a rectangle with a smaller notch cut from one corner.
- The sheet is general practice and is not matched to a particular curriculum.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between area and perimeter?
Area is the amount of surface inside a shape, measured in square units. Perimeter is the distance around the edge, measured in units.
How do I get a new worksheet?
Change the worksheet number. Each number makes a different set of problems, and the same number always gives the same set.
Can I print an answer key separately?
Yes. Print the sheet with the key hidden, then enter the same number, tick the key and print again.
How many problems can I make?
From 1 to 30 on a sheet.