Plans

Arc Length and Sector Area Calculator

This arc length calculator finds the length of an arc, the area of the sector and the length of the chord from the radius and the central angle. Angles can be in degrees or radians; with degrees, answers are given exactly in terms of π as well as in decimals.

Result

Enter values and press Calculate to see the result.

Formula

s=θ360∘×2πr=rθ (θ in radians)s = \frac{\theta}{360^\circ} \times 2\pi r = r\theta \ (\theta \text{ in radians})

The arc is the same fraction of the circumference as the angle is of a full turn.

A=θ360∘×πr2=12r2θA = \frac{\theta}{360^\circ} \times \pi r^2 = \tfrac{1}{2} r^2 \theta

The sector is the same fraction of the whole circle’s area.

c=2rsin⁡θ2c = 2r\sin\frac{\theta}{2}

The chord is the straight line joining the ends of the arc.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the radius and the central angle, and choose degrees or radians.
  2. Press Calculate to see the arc length, sector area and chord length.

Worked examples

Radius 6, angle 60°

60° is 1/6 of a full turn. Arc = 1/6 × 2π × 6 = 2π ≈ 6.283185.

Sector area = 1/6 × π × 36 = 6π ≈ 18.849556.

Chord = 2 × 6 × sin 30° = 6.

Radius 4, angle 1.5 radians

Arc = rθ = 4 × 1.5 = 6.

Area = ½ × 16 × 1.5 = 12.

Chord = 2 × 4 × sin 0.75 ≈ 5.45311.

A semicircle: radius 10, angle 180°

Arc = half the circumference = 10π.

Area = half the circle = 50π. The chord is the diameter, 20.

Common mistakes

  • Using s = rθ with θ in degrees; that formula needs radians.
  • Mixing up the diameter and the radius.
  • Confusing the arc (curved) with the chord (straight).

Frequently asked questions

How do you find the arc length?

Arc length = (θ/360°) × 2πr for θ in degrees, or s = rθ for θ in radians. For r = 6 and 60°: (60/360) × 12π = 2π.

How do you find the area of a sector?

Area = (θ/360°) × πr², or ½r²θ in radians. A 90° sector of radius 4 has area ¼ × 16π = 4π.

What is the difference between an arc and a chord?

The arc is the curved part of the circle between two points; the chord is the straight line joining them.