Circle Calculator
Calculate area, circumference, diameter, and radius of any circle instantly
Calculation Results
Enter a circle measurement to calculate all properties.
Radius: units
Diameter: units
Circumference: units
Area: square units
Circle Diagram
The Circle: A Fundamental Geometric Shape
A circle is one of the most fundamental and symmetrical shapes in geometry. It is defined as the set of all points in a plane that are at a fixed distance (called the radius) from a central point (called the center).
Key Properties of a Circle
- Radius (r) - The distance from the center to any point on the circle.
- Diameter (d) - The longest distance across the circle, passing through the center (d = 2r).
- Circumference (C) - The perimeter or distance around the circle (C = 2πr or C = πd).
- Area (A) - The space enclosed within the circle (A = πr²).
- Chord - A straight line connecting two points on the circle (the diameter is the longest chord).
- Arc - A segment of the circumference.
- Sector - A "pie slice" of the circle, bounded by two radii and an arc.
- Segment - A region between a chord and its corresponding arc.
Mathematical Equations of a Circle
- Standard Equation (Center at Origin)
x² + y² = r² - Standard Equation (Center at (h, k))
(x - h)² + (y - k)² = r² - Parametric Equations
x = r cosθ, y = r sinθ (0 ≤ θ < 2π)
Why Are Circles Important?
- Symmetry & Balance - Circles appear in nature (planets, bubbles, ripples) and man-made objects (wheels, clocks, coins).
- Engineering & Design - Used in gears, pipes, and circular structures for optimal strength and efficiency.
- Mathematics & Physics - Essential in trigonometry, circular motion, and wave mechanics.
- Everyday Life - Used in sports (basketballs, rings), art, and architecture.
Facts About Circles
- The word "circle" comes from the Greek word "kirkos," meaning "ring" or "hoop."
- A circle has infinite lines of symmetry.
- π (Pi) is a mathematical constant crucial in circle calculations, representing the ratio of circumference to diameter.
Circles are everywhere—from tiny atoms to massive planets! Understanding their properties helps in math, science, and real-world applications.
Circle Formulas
- Radius (r): r = d/2 = C/(2π) = √(A/π)
- Diameter (d): d = 2r = C/π = 2√(A/π)
- Circumference (C): C = 2πr = πd = 2√(πA)
- Area (A): A = πr² = (πd²)/4 = C²/(4π)
Where π (pi) ≈ 3.141592653589793
Radius (r)
Diameter (d)
Circumference (C)
Area (A)
How to Use the Circle Calculator
This Circle Calculator helps you quickly compute the properties of a circle like Radius, Diameter, Circumference, Area based on the input you provide. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use it.
1 Select the Input Type
Choose what you already know about the circle:
- Radius (r) - Distance from the center to the edge.
- Diameter (d) - The longest distance across the circle (2 × radius).
- Circumference (C) - The total distance around the circle.
- Area (A) - The space enclosed within the circle.
Example: If you know the radius, select "Radius" from the dropdown.
2 Enter the Known Value
Type in the numerical value in the input box.
- Make sure to enter a positive number.
- You can use decimals (e.g., 5.5).
Example: If the radius is 7, enter 7 in the input field.
3 Click "Calculate"
Press the Calculate button to get results.
The calculator will automatically compute:
- Radius (r)
- Diameter (d)
- Circumference (C)
- Area (A)
Example Output:
If you entered Radius = 7, the results will show:
- Diameter = 14
- Circumference ≈ 43.98
- Area ≈ 153.94
Example Use Cases
- Finding the circumference of a circular track (if you know the radius).
- Calculating the area of a circular garden (if you know the diameter).
- Determining the radius of a pipe (if you know the circumference).
Example Calculations
-
Example 1: For a circle with radius 5 units:
- Diameter = 10 units
- Circumference ≈ 31.42 units
- Area ≈ 78.54 square units
-
Example 2: For a circle with circumference 20π units:
- Radius = 10 units
- Diameter = 20 units
- Area ≈ 314.16 square units
-
Example 3: For a circle with area 50 cm²:
- Radius ≈ 3.99 cm
- Diameter ≈ 7.98 cm
- Circumference ≈ 25.06 cm
Frequently Asked Questions
Circumference is the perimeter of the circle - the distance around it, measured in linear units (cm, m, etc.).
Area is the space contained within the circle, measured in square units (cm², m², etc.).
For a circle with radius r:
- Circumference = 2πr
- Area = πr²
π (pi) is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. This ratio is constant for all circles, making π a fundamental constant in circle geometry.
Key facts about π:
- π ≈ 3.141592653589793
- It's an irrational number (infinite non-repeating decimal)
- Appears in many mathematical formulas beyond circles
- First calculated by ancient mathematicians measuring circles
You can find the radius from the area using the formula:
r = √(A/π)
Where:
- r = radius
- A = area
- π ≈ 3.14159
Example: For area = 78.54 square units:
r = √(78.54/π) ≈ √(78.54/3.14159) ≈ √25 ≈ 5 units
Circle calculations are used in many practical situations:
- Construction: Calculating materials for circular structures
- Engineering: Designing gears, wheels, and pipes
- Astronomy: Calculating orbits of celestial bodies
- Manufacturing: Determining material needed for circular products
- Sports: Marking circular fields and tracks
- Art: Creating precise circular designs