Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Perimeter of Rectangles: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Perimeter of Rectangles is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children find the distance round a rectangle by adding all four sides. They also meet one question that works backwards, where the perimeter and one side are given. It takes about 15 minutes and needs only a pencil. Page 2 gives the grown up notes, help, a stretch idea and the answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children read a short question about a rectangle, with its length and width given in centimetres. They sketch the rectangle, label all four sides and add them to find the perimeter. The sizes change from question to question, so children cannot copy a pattern and must work each one out. One question works backwards, giving the perimeter and the length and asking for the width. There is space to answer each question.
- A rectangle is 6 cm long and 4 cm wide. What is the perimeter?
- A rectangle is 9 cm long and 5 cm wide. What is the perimeter?
- A rectangle is 12 cm long and 3 cm wide. What is the perimeter?
- A rectangle is 10 cm long and 7 cm wide. What is the perimeter?
- A rectangle is 15 cm long and 6 cm wide. What is the perimeter?
- A rectangle is 13 cm long and 5 cm wide. What is the perimeter?
- A rectangle is 20 cm long and 9 cm wide. What is the perimeter?
- The perimeter is 26 cm and the length is 9 cm. What is the width?
A worked example
A rectangle is 11 cm long and 8 cm wide. What is the perimeter?
This question uses different numbers from the sheet. It shows two ways children can work.
Method 1: add all four sides- Sketch the rectangle. Write 11 cm on both long sides and 8 cm on both short sides.
- Add the sides one by one: 11 + 8 + 11 + 8.
- 11 + 8 = 19, then 19 + 11 = 30, then 30 + 8 = 38.
- Opposite sides are equal, so one length and one width make half of the way round.
- Add them: 11 + 8 = 19.
- Double it: 19 + 19 = 38.
Why learn about perimeter?
Perimeter is the distance all the way round the outside of a shape. People use it in real life more than children expect. A fence round a garden, a ribbon round a gift, a frame round a picture and a border round a notice board all depend on it. Year 4 maths includes measuring and calculating the perimeter of simple shapes, so this is a core skill.
A rectangle is a good shape to start with because its opposite sides are equal. Once children see that, they stop treating each side as a new number and start spotting a pattern. Sketching and labelling every side helps them keep track. It also helps them check that their answer is sensible and that they have not missed a side.
Quick facts about perimeter
- Perimeter is the distance all the way round the outside edge of a shape.
- The opposite sides of a rectangle are always equal in length.
- Every corner of a rectangle is a right angle.
- A square counts as a rectangle because it has four right angles. Having four equal sides makes it a special kind of rectangle.
- Perimeter is a length, so it is measured in units like millimetres, centimetres and metres.
Skills and curriculum link
- Perimeter
- Addition
- Measurement
- Sketching and labelling shapes
- Working backwards
- Checking answers
Ideas that help with perimeter
- Opposite sides matchA rectangle has two sides of one length and two sides of another. Writing each measurement on both matching sides shows all four numbers.
- Check every sidePerimeter means all the way round. Tick each side as you add it so none is missed or counted twice.
- Write the unitPerimeter is a length. Every answer needs its unit, such as cm, so the number has a meaning.
- Opposites undo each otherTaking away undoes adding. That helps when the perimeter is known and one side is missing.
Key words
- PerimeterThe distance all the way round the outside of a shape.
- RectangleA shape with four straight sides and four right angles. Opposite sides are equal.
- LengthHow long a shape is. In a rectangle it is usually the longer side.
- WidthHow wide a shape is. In a rectangle it is usually the shorter side.
- CentimetreA unit for measuring length. It is written cm.
- Opposite sidesTwo sides that face each other across a shape. In a rectangle they are the same length.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the first question aloud. Ask your child to sketch the rectangle and label all four sides before adding.
- Let them add the sides in their own way. Some add one by one, others add two sides and double. Both are fine.
- Check together using page 2. Ask, "How did you work that out?" The thinking matters as much as the answer.
- Come back another day and redo any tricky questions. Repeating a familiar sheet builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Draw the rectangle and write the length on both long sides and the width on both short sides. Then there are four numbers to see. Tick each side as you add it. Try the first few questions, and come back to the rest later.
To stretch confident children
Find two different rectangles with a perimeter of 24 cm and explain how you know. Then choose your own perimeter and find as many rectangles as you can. Look for a pattern in the lengths and widths you find.
Make it a game
Measure the perimeter of a book, a table and a door with a ruler or tape. Guess each one first, then measure and compare. Whose guess was closest? Put the three objects in order from shortest to longest perimeter.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child adds only one length and one width, so the answer is too small.
Try thisAsk how many sides a rectangle has. Label all four sides and tick each one as it is added.
Watch forA child writes only a number, with no unit.
Try thisRemind them that perimeter is a length. Write cm after every answer and read it aloud.
Watch forOn the missing width question, a child takes the length from the perimeter and stops, so the answer is too big.
Try thisSketch the rectangle. The two lengths are taken away first. What is left is shared between the two widths.
Talk about it
- How do you know which sides of a rectangle are the same?
- Can you find a quicker way than adding four numbers one at a time?
- Why does your sketch not need to be to scale?
- Where have you seen a perimeter at home or at school?
- How can you check that your answer makes sense?
- What did you do differently on the question that worked backwards?
Take it off the page
Measure the room
Use a ruler or tape to measure the sides of a rug, a table or a window. Write each side down and add them to find the perimeter.
Squared paper rectangles
Draw rectangles on squared paper. Count the squares along each side, then add all four sides. Compare the perimeters of different rectangles.
String perimeters
Lay a piece of string round the edge of a book or a card. Straighten it out and measure it. Then check by adding the four sides.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first question, then let them lead. About 15 minutes is plenty. If they get stuck, ask them to draw the rectangle and label every side.
Teachers
Use it as a starter or a plenary after teaching perimeter, or as an early finisher or homework task. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Pair it with real measuring round the house. Measure a table, a rug or a garden bed, then come back to the sheet. It can be reused for brothers and sisters, or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in maths
Before this, children measure lengths with a ruler, add numbers fluently and meet perimeter on simple shapes. Knowing that a rectangle has two pairs of equal sides is the key idea they bring with them.
After this, children work with shapes made from more than one rectangle and shapes where some sides are missing. They also meet area, which measures the space inside a shape. Telling area and perimeter apart is an important next step.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Perimeter of Rectangles for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. Younger children can try the first few questions with help. Older children can use it as revision and try the stretch idea on page 2.
- What will children practise?
They practise finding the perimeter of rectangles by adding all four sides. They also practise sketching and labelling shapes and adding lengths in centimetres. One question works backwards from a given perimeter and length.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 15 minutes. Sketching each rectangle first helps children avoid missing a side. Work through the first question together, then let your child try the rest alone.
- What if my child finds it hard?
Start by drawing each rectangle. Write the length on both long sides and the width on both short sides before adding. Tick each side as you go. Try a few questions at a time and come back later.
- What is on page 2?
Page 2 is for the grown up. It has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea and the answers. Keep it separate until your child has finished page 1.
- Is there a game to go with it?
Yes. We suggest measuring the perimeter of a book, a table and a door with a ruler or tape, then comparing them. It is an extra idea on this web page, not part of the printed sheet.
- Is it free, and do I need colour printing?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. No, you do not need colour. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, and you can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.