Pythagorean Theorem Calculator
The Pythagorean theorem states that in any right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the two legs: a² + b² = c². This calculator lets you solve for any one unknown side when the other two are provided, covering all three cases: finding the hypotenuse or either leg.
Named after the ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras, this relationship is one of the most widely applied formulas in mathematics, engineering, physics, and everyday life. Use it to verify right angles, calculate diagonal distances, or find missing measurements in construction and design.
How it works
Given legs a and b, hypotenuse c = √(a² + b²). Given hypotenuse c and leg b, the other leg a = √(c² − b²). Given hypotenuse c and leg a, the other leg b = √(c² − a²). The hypotenuse must always be greater than either individual leg.
Use cases
- Calculating the diagonal length of a rectangle or screen
- Determining the length of a ramp or staircase slope
- Finding the straight-line distance between two GPS coordinates
- Verifying that a construction corner forms a true right angle
- Computing the hypotenuse in physics vector problems