Length of a Rectangle Calculator

Calculate rectangle length from area, perimeter, or diagonal

Calculate Rectangle Length

The shorter side of the rectangle

Total area of the rectangle

Calculate Length from Area and Width

Width must be greater than 0

Example Calculations

Example 1: Area and Width Method

Problem: Find the length of a rectangle with area 24 m² and width 4 m

Solution: Length = Area ÷ Width = 24 ÷ 4 = 6 m

Example 2: Perimeter and Width Method

Problem: Find the length of a rectangle with perimeter 20 m and width 3 m

Solution: Length = (Perimeter ÷ 2) - Width = (20 ÷ 2) - 3 = 10 - 3 = 7 m

Example 3: Diagonal and Width Method

Problem: Find the length of a rectangle with diagonal 5 m and width 3 m

Solution: Length = √(diagonal² - width²) = √(5² - 3²) = √(25 - 9) = √16 = 4 m

Rectangle Formulas

Length from Area

Length = Area ÷ Width

Length from Perimeter

Length = (P ÷ 2) - Width

Length from Diagonal

Length = √(d² - w²)

Basic Properties

Area = Length × Width
Perimeter = 2(L + W)
Diagonal = √(L² + W²)

Quick Tips

Length is conventionally the longer side of a rectangle

For perimeter method: P must be greater than 2 × width

For diagonal method: diagonal must be greater than width

All calculations use the Pythagorean theorem for diagonal

Understanding Rectangle Length Calculations

What is Rectangle Length?

The length of a rectangle is typically the longer of its two sides. However, in some contexts, it may refer to the vertical dimension when the rectangle is positioned upright.

Key Properties

  • Rectangles have four right angles (90°)
  • Opposite sides are equal and parallel
  • Diagonals are equal in length and bisect each other
  • Length and width determine all other properties

Calculation Methods

From Area

When you know the total area and one side dimension

From Perimeter

When you know the distance around the rectangle and one side

From Diagonal

Using the Pythagorean theorem with diagonal and one side

Mathematical Derivations

Area Method

Starting with: Area = Length × Width

Solve for Length: Length = Area ÷ Width

This is basic algebraic rearrangement

Perimeter Method

Starting with: P = 2(Length + Width)

Divide by 2: P/2 = Length + Width

Solve: Length = (P/2) - Width

Diagonal Method

Pythagorean theorem: d² = L² + W²

Rearrange: L² = d² - W²

Take square root: L = √(d² - W²)