Trapezoidal Rule Calculator

Pick a function, set the limits a and b and the number of intervals to estimate the integral.

How to use

  1. Enter your values in the fields above.
  2. Press Calculate to see your result instantly.
  3. Use the Share button to copy a link to your result.

About this calculator

The composite trapezoidal rule approximates a definite integral by splitting the interval [a, b] into n equal-width strips of width h = (b−a)/n, treating each strip as a trapezoid under the curve, and summing their areas: ∫f(x)dx ≈ (h/2)[f(a) + 2f(x₁) + 2f(x₂) + ... + f(b)]. More strips means smaller trapezoids and a closer approximation to the true area.

It's one of the first numerical integration methods taught in calculus and numerical methods courses, and remains genuinely useful whenever a function has no closed-form antiderivative, or when you only have discrete data points (like sensor readings over time) rather than a formula to integrate analytically.

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