Area & Perimeter Game
Free area and perimeter game: count squares and edges on a grid, build rectangles to a target, compare two rectangles, and use the formulas with real units.
Four question types, each a different skill. Count It shows a rectangle or an L-shape on a unit grid and asks for the squares inside or the unit edges around it — and after a miss, numbers them for you. Build It gives a target area, perimeter, or both, and you size a rectangle on the grid; any rectangle that works is right. Compare puts two rectangles side by side, often with the same area and different perimeters. Use the Formula labels the sides with cm, m, in or ft and asks for the answer. Four levels, from counting squares to triangles.
Count the squares inside a shape, or the unit edges around it.
Not a test — nothing is saved after you leave.
Ready to measure?
Count squares, build rectangles, compare shapes and use the formulas for perimeter and area.
How to use the area & perimeter game
- 1Choose Count It, Build It, Compare, Use the Formula, or Mixed, and a level.
- 2To count, type the number of squares (area) or unit edges (perimeter) and check; a miss shows every square or edge numbered.
- 3To build, tap the grid or use the width and height steppers until the rectangle meets the target, then check.
- 4To compare, pick A, B or Same; to use the formula, read the labelled sides and type the answer in the unit shown.
When this is useful
Area as counting squares
Grade 3 starts here (CCSS 3.MD.C.5–7): area is the number of unit squares, perimeter the distance around — both counted on a real grid.
Same area, different perimeter
Build It and Compare are set up so 2 × 6 and 3 × 4 come up together — the grade 3–4 idea that the two measures are independent (3.MD.D.8).
L-shapes without a formula
An L-shape has less area than the rectangle around it but the same perimeter; counting the numbered edges makes that visible.
Formulas with units
Rectangles and squares in grade 4 (4.MD.A.3), triangles in grade 6 (6.G.A.1): answers in cm, m, in, ft and their squares.
Projector-friendly
Large grids and labelled figures work for a whole-class round with students calling out the count.
Examples to try
Count It, Level 2
A 6 × 4 rectangle with a 2 × 1 corner missing: area 22 squares, perimeter 20 units — the same perimeter as the full rectangle.
Build It, Level 3
Area 12 and perimeter 14: only 3 × 4 works; 2 × 6 has the right area but perimeter 16.
Compare, Level 1
A is 2 × 6, B is 3 × 4: same area 12, but A's perimeter is 16 and B's is 14.
Use the Formula, Level 4
A right triangle with base 8 cm and height 5 cm: area = ½ × 8 × 5 = 20 cm².
Tips for better results
Count the edges, not the squares, for perimeter
The numbered-edge reveal is the fix for the most common confusion; let students watch it once.
Ask for two rectangles with the same area
Build It with an area target accepts any factor pair — have students find them all.
Introduce the formula after counting
Play Count It at Level 1, then Use the Formula at Level 1 with the same small numbers.
Print the matching worksheet
The Perimeter & Area Worksheet Generator prints rectangles, squares and triangles with whole-number answers and a key.
How the area & perimeter game works
Shapes are rectangles or rectangles with one corner removed; area and perimeter are computed from the grid (the outline is walked edge by edge, which is also how the reveal numbers it).
Build targets are chosen so an area target has at least one rectangle that fits the board, a perimeter target has at least two, and a double target is only set when the area alone would be ambiguous.
Formula items keep every answer a whole number — a triangle's base × height is always even. Units are metric outside English; the English game also uses inches and feet, like the worksheet.
Private by design
- No account and no sign-up. Just open it and start.
- Everything runs on your device, so the numbers you type, the rectangles you build, and your game settings stays with you.
- Nothing you create is uploaded. No values, names, scores, or generated content are sent to our servers.
- We use Google Analytics only for basic, anonymous pageview counts. It never receives what you enter into the tool.
Frequently asked questions
Is this area and perimeter game free?
Yes. No account, no limit on rounds, no ads. Nothing is saved after you leave the page.
What grades is it for?
Levels 1 and 2 (counting, L-shapes, small formulas) suit grades 3–4; Level 3 (two targets at once) suits grade 4; Level 4 (triangles, bigger numbers) suits grades 5–6.
Does it include triangles?
Yes, at Level 4: perimeter from three labelled sides and area from a base and height, always with whole-number answers.
What counts as a correct Build It answer?
Any rectangle that meets the target, in either orientation. With an area target of 12, 2 × 6, 6 × 2 and 3 × 4 are all right.
Which units does it use?
Count It and Build It use plain squares and units. Use the Formula and Compare label sides in cm, m, in or ft, and area answers are in the squared unit.
Can I play with a keyboard only?
Yes. Enter checks a typed answer, the steppers and A/B/Same choices are ordinary buttons, and nothing requires a mouse.
Does this use AI?
No. The game is plain measurement arithmetic running in your browser.
Is there a matching worksheet?
Yes — the Perimeter & Area Worksheet Generator prints the same kinds of problems with an answer key.
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Perimeter & Area Worksheet Generator
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Make printable 2D shape worksheets — name the shape or count the sides — with real vector shapes and an answer key.
Always free · No account needed · Nothing you type leaves your device unless you choose to save it.