How to calculate Area in AutoCAD

Written by

Saadiya Mushtaq

In this article we will discuss on how to calculate area in AutoCAD. AutoCAD is a Computer aided design-type software oriented to drawing and modeling in 2D and 3D. ‘How to find or measure area in AutoCAD’, is most frequent doubt popping out in the mind of freshers using AutoCAD.

This article is well explained with screenshots taken with AutoCAD 2020.

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What is Area

Area is the measure of space in two-dimension. The Area of rectangle or square is calculated by multiplying its length and breadth. Each and every shapes have its own formula for area. Don’t worry about formula, AutoCAD will take care of it. You only need to know how to use AutoCAD for this.

Unit of Area

The standard unit of Area is Square units. That means if dimensions of a figure or shape is in centimeter, its unit of area will be in centimeter square. In this way there is square feet, meter square, etc.

Uses of Area

Area has many applications in different fields, like farming, architecture, science etc. In addition to this, Area is used in our day to day life as well. For instance, I wish to place a furniture in my room, for that I need to have the proper area of my room so as to lay that furniture. Knowing the proper dimensions of my room will help me in calculating the area of my room and the space available for placing the furniture.

How to calculate Area in AutoCAD

Have you ever wondered how to calculate the Area in AutoCAD of any object?

Well here is the answer

Open your AutoCAD and draw any Polygon

Let’s begin with a Rectangle

Now type “area” and activate this command by pressing the “Enter” button

If you are not able to see command entry area near cursor, Press F12. Then you will be able to see that when you type.

You can also enter it in the command line at bottom of screen. If command line in not activated press ctrl + 9, for activating. Make sure you activate this command line.

Now click on the Corner points and complete the Area 

Press the “Enter” button and you have the value of Area displayed at the Bottom of your Screen

How to find Area in AutoCAD – Alternate method

You can also check the Area from the “home” tab

Click on “Measure” drop down menu

Then click on “Area” and do the same procedure and you have your Area calculated

And follow the steps as we done in first method.

How to calculate area of irregular shape in AutoCAD

Consider this Figure

Type “Area” or go to the bar for calculating the Area

Click on the corner points. For the “arc” click on “Arc” present at the bottom of the screen and click on the arc points

Press “Enter”

You have your Area displayed at the bottom of your Screen.

How to calculate Area in different units?

First calculate the Area of any figure by following the steps mentioned above.

Then press Fn2 and copy the value of Area

Note : If you are note able to see the unit next to area as shown in picture above, follow following steps.

Activate ‘units’ command, in the pop up window, under length section, select type as ‘ Architectural’ or ‘Engineering’ and click ok. Then you will be able to see the area units. (Note : If you want to see the area with units as shown above, you need to draw in inches if ‘ Architectural’ or ‘Engineering’ is selected)

Then click on Calculator from Utilities panel.

In calculator, we have a ribbon “Units Conversion”. Click on that.

In “units type” Select “Area”

In “Convert from”, Select the units in which your Original Area was displayed and place the value of area in “value to convert”

Then for the desired unit, Sect the “convert To” option

Press Enter and we will get the value of area in our desired units.

How to Add Area in AutoCAD?

First draw two or more than two Figures
Then activate the “Area” command

Then click on “Add Area” option below

Then click on “Object”

Then select the figures for Total Area calculation

After selection, the Total Area gets displayed at the bottom of your screen

How to Subtract Area in AutoCAD?

First draw two or more than two Figures
Then activate the “Area” command

Then click on “Subtract Area” option below

Then click on “Object” and select the figures

After selection, the Total Area gets displayed at the bottom of your screen

Thank you

Saadiya Mushtaq @saadiyamushtaq

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