Incircle of a Polygon - Math Open Reference

Incircle of a Polygon

Definition: The largest circle the will fit inside a polygon that touches every side

Try this Adjust the regular polygon below by dragging any orange dot, or alter the number of sides. Note the behavior of the polygon's incircle.

(If there is no image below, see support page.)

The incircle of a regular polygon is the largest circle that will fit inside the polygon and touch each side in just one place (see figure above) and so each of the sides is a tangent to the incircle. If the number of sides is 3, then the result is an equilateral triangle and its incircle is exactly the same as the one described in Incircle of a Triangle.

Finding the inradius

The inradius of a regular polygon is exactly the same as its apothem. The formulas below are the same as for the apothem. Use the formula that uses the facts you are given to start.

Given the length of a side:

By definition, all sides of a regular polygon are equal in length. If you know the length of one of the sides, the inradius is given by the formula:

where
s is the length of any side
n is the number of sides
π is PI, approximately 3.142
tan is the tangent function calculated in radians (see Trigonometry Overview)

Given the radius (circumradius):

If you know the radius (distance from the center to a vertex):

where
r is the radius (circumradius)
n is the number of sides
π is PI, approximately 3.142
cos is the cosine function calculated in radians (see Trigonometry Overview)

Irregular Polygons

Irregular polygons are not thought of as having an incircle or even a center. If you were to draw a polygon at random, it is unlikely that there is a circle that has every side as a tangent. An exception is a 3-sided polygon (triangle). All triangles always have an incircle. (See Incircle of a Triangle)

It can happen in reverse however. You can start with a circle and draw an irregular polygon around it as in the figure on the right. This would be called a circumscribed polygon.

Some mathematicians consider the incircle to be the largest circle that will fit inside a polygon, without the requirement that it touches all the sides. Clearly, under this definition, it is always possible to draw such a circle.

Related polygon topics

General

Types of polygon

Area of various polygon types

Perimeter of various polygon types

Angles associated with polygons

Named polygons