Count squares to find the area
31 October 2026
Learning to find the area of a shape is much easier when you use a grid. By counting the number of full squares a shape covers, your child can quickly work out its area. This method is a helpful starting point before moving on to more complex area questions.
Worked example
Question: What is the area of this shape? The shape is drawn on a grid. It covers 7 full squares.
Step 1: Count each full square the shape covers. Start at 1 and count up to 7.
Step 2: Write down the total number of squares you counted.
The area is 7 square units.
Key insight: When your child can count the squares inside a shape, they can always find its area on a grid. This builds confidence for tackling more area questions. A similar question is ready for your child to practise, helping them get used to this maths.com uk method.
