Breadth — Definition, Formula & Examples

Breadth is the distance across an object from one side to the other, measured at its widest point. It means the same thing as width.

In geometry, breadth refers to the lateral extent of a two- or three-dimensional figure, measured perpendicular to its length. For a rectangle, breadth is the shorter of the two side measurements.

Key Formula

A = l \times b

Where:

$A$ = Area of a rectangle
$l$ = Length (the longer side)
$b$ = Breadth (the shorter side, also called width)

Worked Example

Problem: A garden is 8 meters long and has a breadth of 5 meters. What is its area?

Identify: The length is 8 m and the breadth is 5 m.

l = 8 \text{ m},\quad b = 5 \text{ m}

Multiply: Use the rectangle area formula.

A = 8 \times 5 = 40 \text{ m}^2

Answer: The area of the garden is 40 square meters.

Why It Matters

Many geometry textbooks, especially those used in the UK and India, use "breadth" instead of "width." Recognizing that these words mean the same thing prevents confusion when you encounter different math resources or standardized tests.

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Confusing breadth with length and swapping the two values.

Correction: Length is typically the longer dimension, and breadth (width) is the shorter one. Labeling your diagram helps you keep them straight.