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Use the two perpendicular legs
In a right triangle, the two legs are already perpendicular, so they can serve directly as the base and height.
Area = (leg 1 × leg 2) ÷ 2
Worked example
For legs 6 and 8, area = (6 × 8) ÷ 2 = 24 square units.
You do not need the hypotenuse for area
If both legs are known, the hypotenuse is not needed to find area. The hypotenuse may still be useful for perimeter or other triangle calculations.
Common mistakes
- Using the hypotenuse as the height.
- Forgetting to divide by two.
- Reporting linear units instead of square units.
Frequently asked questions
What is the base of a right triangle?
Either leg can be used as the base if the other leg is used as the height.
Do I need the hypotenuse?
No, not when both legs are known.
What units should the answer use?
Square units, such as square feet or square meters.