Area by counting squares: what children learn
Year 4 pupils find the area of rectilinear shapes by counting squares.
In this game children find the area of rectangles and L-shapes drawn on squared paper, where each square is 1 cm². Counting in rows, rather than one square at a time, is quicker and more accurate.
This topic covers the Year 4 statutory requirement in the National Curriculum in England (Measurement): pupils should be taught to “find the area of rectilinear shapes by counting squares”. Year 4 pupils are usually aged 8–9.
For families following US standards, the closest Common Core standard is 3.MD.C.6, which is taught in Grade 3.
How to play
Answer 10 questions before the clock runs out. Tap an answer, or press 1 to 4. Each game has 10 multiple-choice questions and a 150-second timer. A wrong answer shows the correct one before moving on. You earn up to three stars depending on your score.
Step by step
- Area means the space inside. It is measured in squares, written cm² for square centimetres.
- Count in rows. A rectangle 3 squares tall and 4 wide has 3 rows of 4: 12 squares.
- Split L-shapes. Split an L-shape into two rectangles, find each area and add them.
- Write the units. The answer is in square centimetres: 12 cm².
Worked examples
Example 1: A rectangle 3 squares tall and 4 wide. Each square is 1 cm².
Working: 3 rows of 4 = 12.
Answer: 12 cm²
Example 2: A rectangle 5 squares tall and 2 wide.
Working: 5 rows of 2 = 10.
Answer: 10 cm²
Example 3: An L-shape made of a 3 by 3 and a 3 by 2 rectangle.
Working: 9 + 6 = 15.
Answer: 15 cm²
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Finding the perimeter instead of the area. Perimeter is the distance round the edge. Area is the squares inside.
- Counting some squares twice in an L-shape. Split the shape with a line and colour each part.
- Writing cm instead of cm². Area is counted in squares, so the units are square units.
Activities to try at home
- Count the tiles on a floor or wall and work out the area in tiles.
- Draw shapes on squared paper and find their areas.
- Cover a book with sticky notes to measure its area.
Ideas for the classroom
- Pupils make rectilinear shapes on geoboards and find their areas.
- Give pupils 12 squares and ask how many different rectangles they can make.
- Compare two shapes with the same area but different perimeters.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
When do children use a formula for area?
Year 5 pupils calculate the area of rectangles. Counting squares first shows why length × width works.
What is a rectilinear shape?
A shape whose sides all meet at right angles, such as a rectangle or an L-shape.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. Press 1, 2, 3 or 4 to choose an answer.