Circle Calculator

Calculate area, circumference, diameter, and radius of any circle instantly

Calculation Results

Enter a circle measurement to calculate all properties.

Circle Diagram

r = 0 d = 0 C = 0 A = 0

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

r

Radius (r)

d

Diameter (d)

C

Circumference (C)

A

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

1. What is the difference between circumference and area?

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
2. Why is π (pi) used in circle calculations?

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
3. How do you find the radius if you know the area?

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

4. What are some real-world applications of circle calculations?

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