How to Calculate Area in AutoCAD 2018?

Understanding Area Calculation in AutoCAD 2025

Calculating the area in AutoCAD is essential for a variety of design and drafting tasks. Whether you’re working with simple geometries like rectangles and circles or more complex shapes such as polylines, the process can be accomplished effectively using the tools provided by AutoCAD.

Step-by-Step Area Calculation for Basic Shapes

1. Accessing the Command Line:
   Locate the Command Line, which is typically situated above the drawing area. This is where you will input commands.

2. Entering the Area Command:
   Type the command "AREA" directly into the Command Line and press Enter. This will allow you to start measuring areas.

3. Selecting Your Shape:

   • For simple shapes like rectangles or circles, choose "Object" when prompted.
   • Click on the boundary of your selected shape. The area will be displayed in the Command Line, including other relevant measurements such as the perimeter or circumference.
4. Measuring Closed Polylines:
   For more complex shapes, such as closed polylines, you can also use the AREA command.
   • Type "AREA" and then select "Object".
   • Click on the closed polyline, and the area will be calculated automatically.

Measuring Area Using Points

1. Activate the Area Tool:
   Again, enter "AREA" in the Command Line.

2. Selecting Points:

   • Rather than selecting an object, you can manually specify points. Click on each corner of the area you want to measure.
   • To finish, click on the first point again to close the shape.
3. Reviewing Measurements:
   Upon closing the shape by returning to the starting point, the area will be displayed in square feet or your specified units directly in the Command Line.

Calculating Area for Irregular Shapes

1. Using Polyline Method:
   To determine the area of an irregular shape, you can trace around it using the polyline tool.

   • Activate the polyline by typing “PLINE” and create a path around the shape.
   • Once completed, use the AREA command to calculate the area of the newly formed closed polyline.
2. Utilizing Dynamic Measurements:
   In AutoCAD 2025, the MEASUREGEOM command allows you to hover and dynamically assess distances and angles. This can be useful when calculating the area by measuring several segments and adding them together.

Measuring with Object Snaps

When working in AutoCAD, utilizing Object Snaps (OSNAP) ensures precision in your measurements:

1. Activating Object Snaps:
   Make sure to enable OSNAP by pressing F3 or clicking on the Object Snap icon.

2. Use Precise Points:
   When clicking points for area calculations, object snaps help you select exact corners or intersections, enhancing measurement accuracy.

FAQ

1. Can I change the unit of measurement in AutoCAD while calculating area?
Yes, you can set the measurement units to architectural, metric, or decimal units in the drawing settings, which will apply to area calculations.

2. How do I ensure precision when calculating area in AutoCAD?
Utilizing Object Snaps (OSNAP) will help you select points accurately. Additionally, go slow and verify each point you click to avoid errors.

3. Are there shortcuts for measuring area quickly in AutoCAD?
Using the MEASUREGEOM command in AutoCAD 2025 allows for quick measurement of distances and areas by simply hovering over objects without having to input multiple commands.