Year 2 Maths Measurement

Introduction to Area

Area is the amount of space inside a flat shape. We measure area by counting how many equal-sized squares fit inside it.

Area tells us how much surface a shape covers. Think of:

Bigger area = more space inside. Smaller area = less space.

We measure area by counting unit squares. Each unit square has an area of 1 square unit.

Area = 6 square units

We can compare shapes by counting their squares. The shape with more squares has the larger area.

4 sq units

6 sq units (larger)

Instead of counting every square, we can use rows and columns:

A rectangle that is 4 across and 3 down:

3 rows × 4 columns = 12 square units

(This connects to multiplication!)

Count the Area

Count the shaded squares to find the area of each shape.

Shape A: 10 square units

2 rows × 5 columns

Shape B: 12 square units

4 rows × 3 columns

area — the amount of space covered by a flat shape

unit square — a square with sides of 1 unit, used to measure area

square units — the measurement of area (how many unit squares fit inside)

surface — the flat face or top of an object

✓Area is the amount of space inside a flat shape. We measure it in square units.
✓To find area, count the unit squares inside the shape.
✓For rectangles, you can multiply rows × columns instead of counting each square.
✓For irregular shapes, count all squares (even partial or non-rectangular arrangements).