Geometry visual reference

Geometry Formulas Cheat Sheet

Geometry formulas become easier to choose when each formula stays attached to its figure and dimensions. Check whether the problem asks for boundary length, area, surface area, or volume before substituting.

Download full PDFDownload full SVGDownload chart PNG
Geometry formulas cheat sheet with labeled rectangle square triangle parallelogram trapezoid circle prism cylinder cone and sphere diagrams
Open the chart for a full-size, printable version.
How to read it

Use the chart as a decision tool.

A printable geometry formulas cheat sheet for area, circumference, surface area, and volume with labeled two- and three-dimensional figures. Read the label first, identify the matching structure in your problem, then confirm that any stated conditions apply before substituting values.

01

Plane figures

Area measures the region inside a two-dimensional boundary.

Rectangle

A=lw,P=2l+2w\displaystyle A=lw,\quad P=2l+2w

Square

A=s2,P=4s\displaystyle A=s^2,\quad P=4s

Triangle

A=12bh\displaystyle A=\frac12bh

Parallelogram

A=bh\displaystyle A=bh

Trapezoid

A=12(b1+b2)h\displaystyle A=\frac12(b_1+b_2)h

Circle

A=πr2,C=2πr\displaystyle A=\pi r^2,\quad C=2\pi r
02

Solid figures

Surface area covers every face; volume fills the solid.

Rectangular prism

V=lwh,SA=2lw+2lh+2wh\displaystyle V=lwh,\quad SA=2lw+2lh+2wh

Cylinder

V=πr2h,SA=2πr2+2πrh\displaystyle V=\pi r^2h,\quad SA=2\pi r^2+2\pi rh

Cone

V=13πr2h,SA=πr2+πrℓ\displaystyle V=\frac13\pi r^2h,\quad SA=\pi r^2+\pi r\ell

Sphere

V=43πr3,SA=4πr2\displaystyle V=\frac43\pi r^3,\quad SA=4\pi r^2
How to remember it

Name the measurement before choosing a formula

  1. 1Perimeter and circumference use linear units.
  2. 2Area and surface area use square units.
  3. 3Volume uses cubic units.
  4. 4For prisms and cylinders, volume is base area times height.
Keep learning