45-45-90 Triangle Calculator

Enter a leg or the hypotenuse of a 45-45-90 triangle to find all sides, area, and perimeter.

This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.

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How to Use the 45-45-90 Triangle Calculator

A 45-45-90 triangle (isosceles right triangle) has two equal legs and a hypotenuse in the ratio 1 : 1 : sqrt(2). Enter either a leg or the hypotenuse to calculate everything.

  1. Select what you know. Choose whether you are entering a leg or the hypotenuse.
  2. Enter the length. Type the value in the input field.
  3. View the results. Both legs, the hypotenuse, area, and perimeter are calculated instantly.

About 45-45-90 Triangles

The 45-45-90 triangle is one of two special right triangles. It is an isosceles right triangle: both legs are equal, and the hypotenuse is sqrt(2) times a leg. You get one whenever you cut a square along its diagonal. This triangle appears throughout geometry, trigonometry, and engineering. It is the basis for the values of sin(45 degrees) and cos(45 degrees), both equal to sqrt(2)/2.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ratio of sides in a 45-45-90 triangle?

The two legs are equal and the hypotenuse is sqrt(2) times a leg. The ratio is 1 : 1 : sqrt(2).

How do I find the leg from the hypotenuse?

Divide the hypotenuse by sqrt(2). For a hypotenuse of 10, each leg is 10 / sqrt(2), which is approximately 7.0711.

What is the area of a 45-45-90 triangle?

The area is (1/2) * leg * leg, or leg^2 / 2. Since both legs are equal, the area formula simplifies to half the square of one leg.