Right Triangle Calculator

Solve right triangles and calculate all sides, angles, area, and perimeter

Right Triangle Calculator

Enter any 2 values (sides or angles) to solve the right triangle. Leave other fields empty.

Sides

Angles

Example Calculations

3-4-5 Right Triangle

Given: a = 3, b = 4

Calculate: c = √(3² + 4²) = √(9 + 16) = √25 = 5

Area: ½ × 3 × 4 = 6

Perimeter: 3 + 4 + 5 = 12

Using Angle and Side

Given: c = 10, angle A = 30°

Calculate: a = c × sin(30°) = 10 × 0.5 = 5

Calculate: b = c × cos(30°) = 10 × 0.866 = 8.66

Angle B: 90° - 30° = 60°

Right Triangle Properties

One angle is exactly 90°

Hypotenuse is the longest side

Follows Pythagorean theorem: a² + b² = c²

Two acute angles sum to 90°

Area = ½ × leg₁ × leg₂

Common Right Triangles

3-4-5
Most famous Pythagorean triple
5-12-13
Primitive Pythagorean triple
8-15-17
Another primitive triple
45°-45°-90°
Isosceles right triangle
30°-60°-90°
Special right triangle

Quick Formulas

a² + b² = c²
Pythagorean theorem
Area = ½ab
Area formula
sin(A) = a/c
Sine ratio
cos(A) = b/c
Cosine ratio
tan(A) = a/b
Tangent ratio

Understanding Right Triangles

What is a Right Triangle?

A right triangle is a triangle where one angle is exactly 90 degrees (a right angle). The side opposite to the right angle is called the hypotenuse and is always the longest side. The other two sides are called legs or catheti.

Pythagorean Theorem

The fundamental relationship in right triangles is the Pythagorean theorem: a² + b² = c², where a and b are the legs and c is the hypotenuse. This theorem allows us to find any missing side when two sides are known.

Trigonometric Ratios

sin(A) = opposite/hypotenuse = a/c

cos(A) = adjacent/hypotenuse = b/c

tan(A) = opposite/adjacent = a/b

Special Right Triangles

  • 45-45-90 triangle: Legs are equal, hypotenuse = leg × √2
  • 30-60-90 triangle: Sides in ratio 1 : √3 : 2