Law of Sines Explained: When and How to Use It
Master the Law of Sines to solve any oblique triangle! Learn when and how to use this powerful trigonometry tool with step-by-step examples and practice problems.
Calculate all angles, sides, area, and perimeter of any right triangle. Enter any two known values and instantly get complete solutions with step-by-step explanations and visual diagrams.
Example: 3-4-5 right triangle
Enter any known values above to calculate the rest
Side A
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Side B
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Side C
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Angle A
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Angle B
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Area
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Perimeter
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Enter any two known values (sides or angles) of your right triangle, then click the Calculate button to compute all the remaining values. The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem and trigonometric functions to solve for unknown sides and angles. You can also press Enter after typing a value for quick calculation.
Our calculator uses IEEE 754 double-precision floating-point arithmetic and standard trigonometric formulas (Pythagorean theorem, sine, cosine, tangent) to deliver accurate results. All calculations happen directly in your browser for instant feedback. Results are displayed to appropriate precision, and we recommend verification for critical professional applications.
a² + b² = c²
The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse (c) equals the sum of squares of the other two sides. Enter any two sides in the calculator above to find the third!
Area = ½ × b × h
The area of a right triangle is half the product of its base and height. Our calculator automatically computes this when you enter two sides. Try it above!
sin θ = opp/hyp
cos θ = adj/hyp
tan θ = opp/adj
Trigonometric functions help find angles from sides. Enter any two values in the calculator above, and it will instantly compute all angles using sine, cosine, and tangent.
Use the Pythagorean theorem: c = √(a² + b²). Enter the two legs (sides a and b) in our calculator, and it will calculate the hypotenuse (side c) automatically.
The three angles in any triangle always sum to 180°. Since a right triangle has one 90° angle, the other two angles must sum to 90°. These are called complementary angles.
The area of a right triangle is: Area = (1/2) × base × height. For right triangles, the two legs serve as the base and height, making the formula: Area = (1/2) × a × b.
Our calculator uses IEEE 754 double-precision floating-point arithmetic, which provides approximately 15-17 significant decimal digits of precision. Results are rounded to a practical number of decimal places for display. While highly accurate for educational and most practical purposes, we recommend verifying calculations for mission-critical professional applications.
Yes! This calculator was built by someone with over a decade of experience using trigonometry in the construction field. It's great for quick calculations, verifying measurements, and planning cuts. However, for critical structural work or engineering applications, we recommend double-checking results with professional tools or a licensed professional.
The calculator uses these standard trigonometric formulas:
No. All calculations are performed directly in your web browser using JavaScript. The values you enter never leave your device—nothing is sent to our servers. We use privacy-friendly analytics (Plausible) that doesn't track individual users or collect personal data. Your calculations are completely private.
Use the unit selector dropdown in the Results panel. Select "Feet" to see results displayed in feet and fractional inches (e.g., 5' 3-1/2"). When Feet is selected, enter your values in decimal feet (e.g., 5.5 for 5'6"). The calculator will convert results to feet and inches automatically, approximating to the nearest 1/16" for practical use.
Deepen your understanding of right triangles and trigonometry with our guides and tutorials:
Master the Law of Sines to solve any oblique triangle! Learn when and how to use this powerful trigonometry tool with step-by-step examples and practice problems.
Learn essential verification techniques to check your triangle calculations and catch mistakes before they become costly errors. Perfect for students and professionals.
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