What is the Difference Between Area and Surface Area?

The main difference between area and surface area lies in the dimensionality of the objects they describe. Area is a two-dimensional measurement, representing the size of a flat surface in a plane, while surface area is a three-dimensional measurement, representing the exposed surface of a solid shape. Key differences between area and surface area include:

• Dimensionality: Area is a two-dimensional measurement, while surface area is a three-dimensional measurement.
• Objects: Area is used to describe the space occupied by two-dimensional shapes, such as squares, rectangles, and triangles. Surface area is used to describe the area occupied by the outer surfaces of three-dimensional solid shapes, such as cubes, cuboids, cones, and cylinders.
• Calculation: Area is calculated by multiplying the length of a side by the width of a side. Surface area is calculated by multiplying the length of a side by the width of a side by the height or depth of the object.

For example, area is used to calculate the space or region to be painted on a wall or to calculate the total area of a floor in a building. On the other hand, surface area is used to calculate the cost of covering a cuboid-shaped box or to paint the outer surface of a building.

Comparative Table: Area vs Surface Area

The main difference between area and surface area lies in the dimensions of the shapes they describe. Area refers to the measurement of a two-dimensional (2D) plane flat surface, such as squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles. In contrast, surface area is the measurement of a three-dimensional (3D) solid shape, such as cuboids, cylinders, cones, and spheres. The key differences between area and surface area are summarized in the following table:

To illustrate the difference, consider a square with an area of 4 square centimeters. This area represents the total space or region occupied by the 2D shape. On the other hand, the surface area of a cube with a side length of 2 centimeters (a 3D shape) would be calculated as 4 square centimeters (2 side lengths squared, in accordance with the formula for finding the area of a 3D shape).