Math Dictionary / Perimeter

Perimeter

Perimeter is the total distance around a two-dimensional shape.

GeometryGrade 3Grade 4Grade 5Grade 6Grade 7GEDSATACT

What it means

Add all side lengths to find perimeter.

Also called: distance around

Examples

A rectangle with sides 5 and 3 has perimeter 16
A triangle perimeter is the sum of its three sides
Perimeter uses length units

Common mistake

Do not multiply length by width for perimeter; that finds area.

Try one

Question: What is the perimeter of a square with side length 6?

Show answer

24.

Related terms

Practice this skill

Open a related Effortless Math lesson or practice tool.