Mensuration Formulas For 2D & 3D Shapes

Mensuration is the branch of mathematics in which we study the surface area, volume, perimeter, length,
breadth, and height of geometric shapes. Shapes can be 2D or 3D in nature. Let’s understand what are 2-
dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes and what are the differences?

What is a 2D shape?

In geometry, a two-dimensional shape or 2D shape is defined as a flat plane figure or a shape that has only
two dimensions. These shapes can be represented in a plane with X-axis and Y-axis. Some common
examples of 2D shapes are circle, square, rectangle, parallelogram, and rhombus.

What is a 3D shape?

A three-dimensional shape or 3D shape is defined as a solid figure or an object that has three dimensions –
length, breadth, and height. Three-dimensional shapes can’t be represented on a plane. We need spatial
representation for 3D shapes because they have an extra dimension as thickness or depth.

Let’s see the major differences between a 2D and a 3D shape:

2D Shape 3D Shape

A 2D shape is surrounded by 3 or more straight lines that A 3D shape is surrounded by multiple surfaces or
can be represented on a plane surface. planes. They are represented spatially.

3D shapes are solid figures and they have an extra

2D shapes have only length and breadth, and no height.
dimension as depth or height.

For 2D shapes, we measure area and perimeter of For 3D shapes, we measure their volume, curved
figures. surface area, and total surface area.

Check other important Maths articles:

Algebra Formulas Log Table

Geometry Formulas Probability Formula

Arithmetic Progression Formulas Compound Interest Formula

Trigonometry Formulas Permutation and Combination

HCF and LCM Differentiation Formulas

Mensuration Formulas Of 2D Geometric Figures

The table below shows the area and perimeter formulas of common 2-D geometrical figures:

Mensuration Formulas for Different 2D Geometric Shapes

Shape Area Formula Perimeter Formula Figure

 a 2 a2 4a 4a
Square

lwlw 2(l + w) 2(l+w)

Rectangle

b + h + H b+h+H
1
Right-angled 2
bh 12bh where,
Triangle H is Hypotenuse

−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−−
√ s(s − a)(s − b)(s − c) s(s−a)(s−b)(s−c),
where a + b + c a+b+c
Scalene Triangle a+b+c
s= 2
s=a+b+c2

1
2
bh 12bh 2a + b 2a+b
Isosceles Triangle

√3 2
Equilateral
4
a 34a2 3a 3a
Triangle
 bhbh 2(a + b) 2(a+b)
Parallelogram

1
2
h(a + c) 12h(a+c) a + b + c + d a+b+c+d
Trapezium

1
d d 12d1d2
2 1 2 4a 4a
Rhombus

C = 2πr C=2πr,
Circle
πr 2 πr2 where C is the
circumference

Check the properties of different geometric shapes:

Properties of Rhombus Properties of Parallelogram

Properties of Quadrilaterals Properties of Rectangle

Mensuration Formulas Of 3D Geometric Figures

The table below shows the formulas for volume, curved surface area, and total surface area of common 3D
geometrical figures:

Mensuration Formulas for Different 3D Geometric Shapes

Volume Curved Surface Area

Shape Total Surface Area Figure
Formula Formula
Cube
a 3 a3 4a 2 4a2 6a 2 6a2

Cuboid
lbhlbh 2(l + b)h 2(l+b)h 2(lb + bh + hl) 2(lb+bh+hl)

4
3
πr 3 43πr3 4πr 2 4πr2 4πr 2 4πr2
Sphere

2
3
πr 3 23πr3 2πr 2 2πr2 3πr 2 3πr2
Hemisphere

Cylinder
πr 2 h πr2h 2πrh 2πrh 2πrh + 2πr 2 2πrh+2πr2
 1
3
πr 2 h 13πr2h πrl πrl πr(r + l) πr(r+l)
Cone

Important Concepts In Mensuration

In mensuration, we come across different terminologies such as area, perimeter, surface area, volume, etc.
We have provided definitions for all these terms so that you can be confident about all the mensuration
concepts.

Area: Area of a closed 2D geometric shape is defined as the total surface covered by the shape. It is
denoted by A. We measure area in m 2 or cm 2 . Remember that area is always measured in square units.

Perimeter: We define perimeter of a closed 2D geometric shape as the total length of its boundary.
Perimeter is generally denoted by P. It is measured in m or cm.

Volume: Volume of a 3D geometric shape is defined as the total space occupied by the object. It is always
measured in cube units. Common measurement units are m 3 or cm 3 . We denote volume of a solid figure by
V.

Curved Surface Area: Curved surface area is used for curved objects such as sphere. It is defined as the
total area covered by the curved part of the object. We denote curved surface area by CSA. Since it is a
type of area, CSA is also measured in square units (m 2 or cm 2 ).

Lateral Surface Area: Lateral surface area is defined as the area occupied by the lateral part of a 3D
geometric shape. It is denoted by LSA. We measure lateral surface area in square units (m 2 or cm 2 ).

Total Surface Area: When we combine the curved surface area and the lateral surface area of a 3D
geometric shape, we get its total surface area (TSA). It is also measured in square units.

Solved Problems On Mensuration Formulas

Here we have provided some mensuration problems with solutions.

Question 1: PQRS is a rectangle. The ratio of the sides PQ and QR is 3 : 1. If the length of the diagonal PR
is 10 cm, then what is the area (in cm²) of the rectangle?

Solution: PQRS is a rectangle

PR = 10 given
PQ : QR = 3 : 1
In ∆PQR
9x² + x² = 100
10x² = 100
x = √10
Area of rectangle = 3x × 1x
= 3x²
= 3 × 10
= 30

Question 2: The height of a cone is 24 cm and the area of the base is 154 cm². What is the curved surface
area (in cm²) of the cone?

Solution: Area of base = 154 cm²

πr² = 154
22/7×r^2
=154
r = 7
Height = 24
Radius = 7
Slant height (ℓ) = √(h²+r² )
ℓ =√(24²+7² )
ℓ=25
C.S.A. = πrℓ
= 22/7×7×25
C.S.A. ⇒ 550 cm²

Question 3: ABCD is a trapezium. Sides AB and CD are parallel to each other. AB = 6 cm, CD = 18 cm, BC
= 8 cm and AD = 12 cm. A line parallel to AB divides the trapezium in two parts of equal perimeter. This line
cuts BC at E and AD at F. If BE/EC = AF/FD, than what is the value of BE/EC?

Solution: Let BE = x then EC = 8 – x

BE/EC = AF/FD (Given)

Reverse the given condition & add 1 both side
EC/BE + 1 = FD/AF + 1
(EC+BE)/BE = (FD+AF)/AF
⇒ BC/BE = AD/AF … (i)
Put values in eq. (i)
→ 8/x = 12/AF
AF = 3x/2
Similarly, FD = 12–3x/2
Now perimeter FABE = FECD
FA + AB + BE + FE = EC + CD + DF + FE
3x/2 + 6 + x = 8 – x + 18 + (12–3x/2)
5x = 32
x = 32/5
=BE
Hence EC = 8 –32/5
= 8/5
∴ BE/EC = (32/5)/(8/5)
=4

Question 4: Find the area and perimeter of a square whose side is 10 cm.
Solution: Given: Side = a = 10 cm
Area of a square = a 2 square units
Substitute the value of “a” in the formula, we get
Area of a square = 10 2
A = 10 x 10 = 100
Therefore, the area of a square = 100 cm 2
The perimeter of a square = 4a units
P = 4 x 10 =40
Therefore, the perimeter of a square = 40 cm.

Question 5: Find out the height of a cylinder with a circular base of radius 70 cm and volume 154000 cubic
cm.

Solution: Given, r= 70 cm
V= 154000 cm 3
Since formula is,
V = πr 2 h
h = V/πr 2
= 154000/15400
=10
Hence, height of the cylinder is 10 cm.

At Embibe, you can solve mensuration practice questions for free:

Class 8 Mensuration Practice Questions

Class 9 Mensuration Practice Questions

Class 10 Mensuration Practice Questions

Frequently Asked Questions On Mensuration Formulas

Students can find some general FAQs on the topic down below:

Q1: What is the formula for mensuration?

Ans: Mensuration is commonly referred to as the study of geometry and the formulas that come under it
involving the calculation of Area, Perimeter, Volume, and Surface Area of different types of 2D and 3D
figures. For the full list of formulas, you can refer to this article.

Q2: How can we remember mensuration formulas?

Ans: The best way to remember mensuration formulas would be by understanding area and perimeter
concepts and then using the formula tables provided in this article. You can either take a printout of the
page or bookmark it whenever you need it.

Q3: Which is the easiest way of learning mensuration formulas?

Ans: The easiest way of learning mensuration formulas will be by taking the printout of the formulas
provided in this article and sticking them near your study table so that you can revise them whenever you
want or you can bookmark this page and visit for revision.

Q4: Is there any difference between mensuration and geometry?

A: Mensuration deals with the calculation of perimeter, area, volume, and other parameter for 2D or 3D
geometric shapes. Geometry is concerned with the properties and relations of points and lines of various
shapes.

Q5: What are 2D and 3D mensuration?

A: 2D mensuration deals with the area, perimeter, volume, and other parameters related to 2D geometric
shapes such as square, rectangle, rhombus, circle, etc.
On the other hand, 3D mensuration is concerned with the calculation of volume, curved surface area, lateral
surface area, and total surface area of 3D geometric shapes such as sphere, cylinder, cone, etc.