Measure Area with Unit Squares
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Learning Objectives
- 1Count unit squares to find the area of a shape in both square inches (in²) and square centimeters (cm²)
- 2Compare areas of different shapes on a grid using square inches and square centimeters
Mini Lesson
Area is the amount of surface a shape covers. We measure area in square units. To find the area of a shape on a grid, count how many unit squares fit inside it. Each unit square can be 1 in × 1 in (one square inch, in²) or 1 cm × 1 cm (one square centimeter, cm²). The math is the same in both unit systems — just keep your units consistent.
Counting Unit Squares
- Draw or look at the shape on a grid of inch or centimeter squares.
- Count each complete unit square inside the shape.
- The total count is the area — write it in in² (square inches) or cm² (square centimeters).
- For rectangles: area = rows × columns (multiply instead of counting).
A rectangle is 4 units wide and 3 units tall on a centimeter grid. What is its area?
Comparing Areas
- Two shapes can have the same perimeter but different areas.
- To compare, count the unit squares in each shape — but only compare shapes drawn on the same kind of grid (in² with in², cm² with cm²).
- The shape with more unit squares has a larger area.
For rectangles on a grid, multiply rows × columns. Always write the unit: in² (square inches) or cm² (square centimeters).
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