Area of a Semicircle Calculator

Enter radius, diameter, or area — get all semicircle properties instantly with step-by-step working.

Unit:
Radius (r)
cm
Diameter (d)
cm
Area (A)
cm²

💡 Enter any one value — the others update instantly.

Live Diagram

Semicircle Area Formulas

From Radius

A = π × r² / 2

Square the radius, multiply by π, then divide by 2.

From Diameter

A = π × (d/2)² / 2

Halve the diameter to get radius, then apply A = πr²/2.

Perimeter

P = r × (π + 2)

Arc length (πr) plus the flat diameter (2r).

From Area

r = √(2A / π)

Rearrange A = πr²/2 to solve for the radius.

What Is a Semicircle?

A semicircle is exactly half of a circle, formed by cutting a circle along its diameter. It has one curved edge (the arc, which is half the circumference) and one straight edge (the diameter). The area of a semicircle is therefore half the area of the full circle with the same radius: A = πr²/2.

Unlike a full circle, the perimeter of a semicircle is not simply half the circumference — it includes the straight diameter as well: P = πr + 2r = r(π + 2). This distinction is important in engineering and architecture when calculating material lengths for arched structures.

πr²/2
Area — half of a full circle
r(π+2)
Perimeter — arc + diameter
πr
Arc length — half circumference

How to Calculate the Area of a Semicircle

  1. 1

    Identify your known value

    Do you know the radius, diameter, or area? Each leads to all other properties via a simple formula path.

  2. 2

    Convert to radius if needed

    From diameter: r = d ÷ 2. From area: r = √(2A ÷ π).

  3. 3

    Apply the area formula

    A = π × r² ÷ 2. Square r, multiply by π (3.14159…), then divide by 2.

  4. 4

    Calculate the perimeter

    P = r × (π + 2) = πr + 2r. Remember: perimeter includes the flat diameter, not just the arc.

Worked Example — Swimming pool cross-section with radius 3.5 m

Given: r = 3.5 m
Step 1: r² = 3.5² = 12.25 m²
Step 2: A = π × 12.25 ÷ 2 = 3.14159 × 12.25 ÷ 2
Area: A ≈ 19.24 m²
Perim: P = 3.5 × (3.14159 + 2) = 3.5 × 5.14159 ≈ 18.0 m

Real-World Applications

🏗️

Architecture

Arch doorways, Romanesque windows, and vaulted ceilings all use semicircular geometry for structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

🏊

Sports

The D-zone in basketball courts and semicircular swimming pool ends require precise area calculations for construction and regulation compliance.

📐

Engineering

Tunnel cross-sections and pipe half-fills often take semicircular shapes. Knowing the area determines flow capacity and material volume.

🌡️

Science

Protractors, semicircular lens elements, and spectrometer components all rely on semicircle geometry for accurate measurement and optics.

🎨

Design

Logo design, decorative arch elements, and UI components frequently use semicircles. Area knowledge ensures correct proportions and material estimates.

🍕

Food

Half pizzas, semicircular cake portions, and pastry cutting all involve semicircle area calculations for fair portioning and serving size estimates.

Common Semicircle Measurements

Object Radius Diameter Area Perimeter
📐 Protractor 10 cm 20 cm 157.08 cm² 51.42 cm
🪟 Semicircular window 30 cm 60 cm 1413.72 cm² 124.25 cm
🍕 Half pizza (12") 15.24 cm 30.48 cm 365.3 cm² 78.4 cm
🚪 Arch doorway 0.5 m 1 m 0.393 m² 2.571 m
🏟️ Stadium end zone 15 m 30 m 353.4 m² 77.1 m
🌊 Half moon pool 2 m 4 m 6.28 m² 10.28 m

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the area formula for a semicircle?
A = πr²/2 — exactly half the area of a full circle with the same radius. For example, a semicircle with r = 5 cm has A = π × 25 / 2 ≈ 39.27 cm².
How is semicircle perimeter different from circumference?
Perimeter = πr + 2r (curved arc + straight diameter). The circumference of a full circle = 2πr. A semicircle's perimeter is more than half the circumference because it includes the diameter line (2r) as a boundary.
How do you find area from diameter?
First find radius: r = d ÷ 2. Then apply A = πr²/2 = π(d/2)²/2 = πd²/8. For d = 10 cm: A = π × 100 / 8 ≈ 39.27 cm².
Is the perimeter of a semicircle half of a circle's circumference?
No. Semicircle perimeter = πr + 2r (includes the diameter). Half the full circumference alone = πr. The extra 2r accounts for the flat diameter side, making the perimeter always larger than half the circumference.
Why does a semicircle have half the area of a circle?
A semicircle is literally half a circle — cut along the diameter, you get two identical halves. Each half encloses exactly half the total circular area: A = πr²/2.
What is the arc length of a semicircle?
Arc length = πr, which is half the full circumference (2πr). It measures only the curved boundary. The flat diameter (2r) is not part of the arc length but is part of the perimeter.