Rectangle Scale Factor Calculator

Calculate linear and area scale factors between rectangles with step-by-step solutions

Calculate Rectangle Scale Factor

Choose whether to calculate scale factor from dimensions or apply a known scale factor

Current Rectangle

Width of the original rectangle

Length of the original rectangle

New Rectangle

Calculated from new length

Length of the scaled rectangle

Current: 0 × 0

Results

Enter rectangle dimensions to calculate scale factors

Please enter positive values for current rectangle dimensions.

Example Calculations

Example 1: Double Size

Original: 5 × 10

Scale Factor: 2

New Size: 10 × 20

Area Factor: 4 (2²)

Example 2: Half Size

Original: 8 × 12

Scale Factor: 0.5

New Size: 4 × 6

Area Factor: 0.25 (0.5²)

Example 3: From New Width

Original: 3 × 7

New Width: 9

Scale Factor: 3 (9/3)

New Length: 21 (7×3)

Example 4: Model Scale

Original: 100 × 50 m

Scale Factor: 1/10 (0.1)

Model Size: 10 × 5 m

Ratio: 1:10

Scale Factor Guide

Linear Scale Factor

Multiplies each dimension by same value

Area Scale Factor

Square of linear scale factor

Scale > 1

Enlargement (bigger rectangle)

Scale < 1

Reduction (smaller rectangle)

Key Formulas

Scale Factor = New Dimension ÷ Original Dimension

New Dimension = Original × Scale Factor

Area Scale Factor = (Linear Scale Factor)²

New Area = Original Area × Area Scale Factor

Scale Factor maintains shape proportions

Understanding Rectangle Scale Factors

What is a Scale Factor?

A scale factor is a number that multiplies each dimension of a shape by the same value. When scaling a rectangle, both the width and length are multiplied by the same scale factor, which preserves the shape while changing the size.

Types of Scaling

  1. Enlargement: Scale factor > 1 (makes rectangle larger)
  2. Reduction: Scale factor < 1 (makes rectangle smaller)
  3. No change: Scale factor = 1 (same size)
  4. Area scaling: Area multiplied by (scale factor)²

Practical Applications

Architecture

Blueprints, floor plans, building models

Engineering

Technical drawings, prototypes, scaled models

Design

Graphics, layouts, proportional sizing

Manufacturing

Product scaling, material calculations

Scale Factor Properties

Linear Scaling

Each dimension multiplied by same factor

Area Scaling

Area multiplied by square of linear scale factor

Shape Preservation

Rectangle remains a rectangle after scaling

Proportional

Ratios between dimensions remain constant