Obtain Area and Mass Properties Information (Concept)

You can obtain the area, perimeter, and mass properties defined by selected objects or a sequence of points.

You can calculate and display the area and perimeter of a sequence of points. You can also obtain the area, perimeter, and mass properties of any of several types of objects.

Use the AREA Command

With the AREA command, you can specify a series of points or select an object. If you need to calculate the combined area of more than one object, you can keep a running total as you add or subtract one area at a time from the selection set. You cannot use window selection or crossing selection to select objects.

Total area and perimeter are saved in the AREA and PERIMETER system variables.

Calculate a Defined Area

You can measure an arbitrary closed region defined by the points you specify. The points must lie on a plane parallel to the XY plane of the current UCS.

Calculate the Area, Perimeter, or Circumference of an Object

You can calculate the enclosed area and perimeter or circumference of circles, ellipses, polylines, polygons, regions, and AutoCAD 3D solids. The displayed information differs according to the type of object you select:

Circles. Area and circumference are displayed.
Ellipses, closed polylines, polygons, planar closed spline curves, and regions. Area and perimeter are displayed. For wide polylines, this area is defined by the center of the width.
Open objects such as open spline curves and open polylines. Area and length are displayed. The area is computed as though a straight line connected the start point and endpoint.
AutoCAD 3D solids. Total 3D area for the object is displayed.

Example: How Various Areas Are Calculated

Calculate Combined Areas

You can measure more than one area, either by specifying points or by selecting objects. For example, you can measure the total area of selected rooms in a floor plan.

Subtract Areas from Combined Areas

You can subtract one or more areas from a combined area that you have already calculated. In the example, the area of the floor plan is first calculated, and then a room is subtracted.

Example: Subtraction of Areas from a Calculation

In the following example, the closed polyline represents a metal plate with two large holes. You first calculate the area of the polyline and then subtract each hole. Area and perimeter or circumference of each object are displayed, with a running total after each step.

Here is the command prompt sequence:

Command: area

Specify first corner point or [Object/Add/Subtract]: a

Specify first corner point or [Object/Subtract]: o

(ADD mode) Select objects: Select the polyline (1)

Area = 0.34, Perimeter = 2.71

Total area = 0.34

(ADD mode) Select objects: Press ENTER

Specify first corner point or [Object/Subtract]: s

Specify first corner point or [Object/Add]: o

(SUBTRACT mode) Select objects: Select the lower circle (2)

Area = 0.02, Circumference = 0.46

Total area = 0.32

(SUBTRACT mode) Select objects: Select the upper circle (3)

Area = 0.02, Circumference = 0.46

Total area = 0.30

(SUBTRACT mode) Select circle or polyline: Press ENTER

Specify first corner point or [Object/Add]: Press ENTER

You can also use REGION to convert the plate and the holes to regions, subtract the holes, and then use the Properties palette or the LIST command to find the area of the plate.

TipUse the QuickCalc calculator to convert from one system of area units to another. For more information, see Use the QuickCalc Calculator.