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⏰ 3rd grade math · Measure, Time & Money

Perimeter: all the way around

Perimeter is the distance all the way around a shape. Add up every side. A rectangle has two pairs of matching sides.

Worked example

How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
2 centimeters2 centimeters2 centimeters2 centimeters
Answer: 8
Walk all the way around and add up every side: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8 centimeters.
2 centimeters2 centimeters2 centimeters2 centimeters

For grown-ups: Perimeter; same perimeter with different area. Below: three problems to try with the worked answers, and a free printable sheet. Children can practise the same skill as a game, with no sign-up and no ads.

  • CCSS 3.MD.D.8
What this practises, for teachers

Practices perimeter; same perimeter with different area (3.MD.D.8). A printable sheet with its answer key, worked answers on the page, no accounts.

▶ Practise it

For your class

🖨️ Printable sheet and key

Try three

  1. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    4 centimeters4 centimeters4 centimeters4 centimeters
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 16
    Walk all the way around and add up every side: 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 16 centimeters.
    4 centimeters4 centimeters4 centimeters4 centimeters
  2. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    7 inches3 inches7 inches3 inches
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 20
    Walk all the way around and add up every side: 7 + 3 + 7 + 3 = 20 inches.
    7 inches3 inches7 inches3 inches
  3. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    13 feet7 feet13 feet7 feet
    Show the answer and how
    Answer: 40
    Walk all the way around and add up every side: 13 + 7 + 13 + 7 = 40 feet.
    13 feet7 feet13 feet7 feet

Before and after

Learn first: Area in squares (3rd)

Comes next: Change inches to feet (4th)

Name: ____________________Date: ____________Score: ____ / 12

Perimeter: all the way around (3rd grade)

  1. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    3 meters3 meters3 meters3 meters
  2. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    6 feet6 feet6 feet6 feet
  3. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    5 feet5 feet5 feet5 feet
  4. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    6 meters4 meters6 meters4 meters
  5. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    4 meters6 meters4 meters6 meters
  6. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    9 feet9 feet9 feet9 feet
  7. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    7 centimeters7 centimeters7 centimeters7 centimeters
  8. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    8 feet5 feet8 feet5 feet
  9. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    6 meters6 meters6 meters6 meters
  10. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    3 inches9 inches3 inches9 inches
  11. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    7 centimeters7 centimeters7 centimeters7 centimeters
  12. How far is it all the way around? That's the perimeter.
    13 centimeters13 centimeters13 centimeters13 centimeters

Answer key

  1. 12
  2. 24
  3. 20
  4. 20
  5. 20
  6. 36
  7. 28
  8. 26
  9. 24
  10. 24
  11. 28
  12. 52

More 3rd grade skills: all 3rd grade math skills, or every grade at math skills.