Surface Area Formulas | List of Surface Area Formulas You Should Know - BYJUS

# Surface Area Formulas

There are lateral surfaces and base surfaces on every three - dimensional object. The total surface area is the total of the base surface area added to the lateral or curved surface area. The surface area formulas for numerous 3-D shapes are covered in this article....Read MoreRead Less

### Introduction

The formula for the surface area of solid shapes in geometry is a mathematical method to calculate the total area occupied by all of the surfaces of any three-dimensional object. Geometric surface area formulas discuss the lateral surface and the overall surface areas of various geometric solid shapes such as cubes, rectangular prisms, cones, cylinders and other shapes.

As a refresher, the surface area of an object is the sum of the areas of all of its faces, or the exterior surfaces of a three-dimensional solid.

It is calculated in square units. In addition, the combined area of the sides of a shape, excluding the area of its base and top, is referred to as the lateral surface area.

### Formulas to calculate the Surface Areas of Various Solids

There are two facets to the formulas that are applied to calculate the surface area of solids:

1. Formula to find the curved surface area or for the lateral surface area.
2. Formula to find the total surface area (that includes the base or bases according to the solid).

The table provided depicts the formulas to help in calculating the surface area for the corresponding 3-D shapes.

Shape

Lateral Surface Area (LSA)

Total Surface Area (TSA)

Cuboid (rectangular prism)

2h(l + b)

2(lb + bh + lh)

Cube

4a$$^2$$

6a$$^2$$

Right Prism

Base perimeter × Height

LSA + 2 (area of one end)

Right Circular Cylinder

2πrh

2πr(r + h)

Right Pyramid

($$\frac{1}{2}$$) Perimeter of base x Slant Height

LSA + Area of Base

Right Circular Cone

πrl

πr(l + r)

Solid Sphere

4πr$$^2$$

4πr$$^2$$

Hemisphere

3πr$$^2$$

3πr$$^2$$

### Solved Examples

Example 1:

The slant height of a cone is 18 centimeters, and its radius is 15 cm. Calculate the total surface area of the cone.

Solution:

As stated in the question,

Radius of the cone = 15 centimeters

Slant height of the cone = 18 centimeters

The formula for the total surface area of a cone = πr(r + l)

= 3.14 × 15 × (15 + 18)   [Substitute the values]

= 3.14 × 15 × (33)          [Apply PEMDAS rule]

= 1554.3 cm$$^2$$

Hence, the surface area of the cone is 1554.3 square centimeters.

Example 2:

A soccer ball has a radius of 20 centimeters. Find the area of the curved surface of the ball. (Use π = 3.14)

Solution:

As stated in the question,

Radius of the soccer ball = 20 centimeters

The curved surface area of sphere = 4πr$$^2$$

= 4π(20)$$^2$$                  [Substitute the value]

= 4π(400)                  [Find the square of the radius]

= 4 x 3.14 x (400)      [use π = 3.14]

= 5024 cm$$^2$$

Hence, the curved surface area of the soccer ball is 5024 square centimeters.

Example 3:

Calculate the total surface area of a water tank with a radius of 31 inches and a height of 67 inches. (Use π = 3.14)

Solution:

As stated in the question,

Radius of the water tank = 31 inches

Height of the water tank = 67 inches

The total surface area formula of the water tank that is in the shape of a cylinder = 2πr(h + r)

= 2π(31)(67 + 31)          [Substitute the values]

= 2π(31)(98)                 [Apply PEMDAS rule]

= 2 x 3.14 x 31 x 98     [use π = 3.14]

= 19078.64  in$$^2$$

Hence, the total surface area of the water tank is 19078.64 square inches.