By Chang Lin — Updated Aug 30 2022

A hexagonal prism is composed of six rectangular lateral faces and two congruent regular hexagonal bases. Determining its surface area is straightforward once you know the prism’s dimensions: the length and width of the rectangular faces and the side length of the hexagonal bases.

Step 1: Measure the Rectangular Faces

Record the length (ℓ) and width (w) of one of the rectangular faces.

Step 2: Area of a Single Rectangular Face

Compute the area with ℓ × w. For example, if ℓ = 10 in and w = 5 in, the area is 50 in².

Step 3: Total Rectangular Surface Area

Multiply the single‑face area by 6 (the number of rectangular faces). In the example, 50 in² × 6 = 300 in².

Step 4: Measure the Hexagonal Base

Measure one side (r) of the regular hexagon; all six sides are equal.

Step 5: Area of One Hexagonal Base

Use the formula (3√3 / 2) r². With r = 5 in, the area is (3√3/2) × 25 ≈ 92 in².

Step 6: Total Hexagonal Surface Area

Since there are two bases, double the result from Step 5: 92 in² × 2 = 184 in².

Step 7: Combine All Faces

Add the rectangular and hexagonal totals: 300 in² + 184 in² = 484 in². That is the full surface area of the hexagonal prism.