Yes, you get a formula sheet on the GED math test: on paper at a test center and on screen. It lists area, perimeter, volume and surface area, slope and line forms, the quadratic formula, the Pythagorean theorem, simple interest, d = rt and total cost. It does not list percent, probability, mode, range or unit conversions.
Do you get a formula sheet on the GED math test?
Yes. GED.com says you do not have to memorize formulas: a formula sheet is given in the test center and on screen. Online, the math reference sheet is an on-screen drop-down. The newest official version on GED.com, checked 2026-10-26, is the 2026-02 revision.
Square: A = s². When: Space covered by a square: tile, carpet, a square lot. Watch out: Area units are square units (ft²), not feet.
Rectangle: A = lw. When: Space covered by a rectangle: flooring, paint for a flat wall, a lawn. Watch out: Extra numbers, such as a ceiling height, are not used for floor area.
Parallelogram: A = bh. When: A slanted four-sided shape with two pairs of parallel sides. Watch out: Use the straight-up height, not the slanted side.
Triangle: A = ½bh. When: Space inside a triangle: a gable, a sail, a corner garden bed. Watch out: Forgetting the ½ doubles the answer.
Trapezoid: A = ½h(b₁ + b₂). When: A four-sided shape with exactly one pair of parallel sides. Watch out: Add the two parallel sides first, then multiply.
Circle: A = πr². When: Space inside a circle: a round patio, a pizza, a sprinkler zone. Watch out: Use the radius. If you are given the diameter, halve it first.
Formula sheet: Perimeter
Square: P = 4s. When: Distance around a square. Watch out: Perimeter is a length, so the unit is plain feet or meters.
Rectangle: P = 2l + 2w. When: Fence, trim or a border around a rectangle. Watch out: Count all four sides: two lengths and two widths.
Triangle: P = s₁ + s₂ + s₃. When: Distance around a triangle. Watch out: You may need the Pythagorean theorem to find a missing side first.
Formula sheet: Circumference
Circle: C = 2πr or C = πd. When: Distance around a circle: edging for a round table or bed. Watch out: Use πd with the diameter or 2πr with the radius, not both.
Formula sheet: Surface area and volume
Rectangular prism: surface area: SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh. When: Wrapping, painting or covering every face of a box. Watch out: Six faces come in three matching pairs.
Rectangular prism: volume: V = lwh. When: Space inside a box, room or tank with square corners. Watch out: Volume units are cubic units (ft³).
Right prism: surface area: SA = ph + 2B. When: Covering a prism with any base shape, such as a triangular tent. Watch out: p is the perimeter of the base and B is the area of the base.
Right prism: volume: V = Bh. When: Space inside a prism with any base shape. Watch out: B is the area of the base, not a side length.
Cylinder: surface area: SA = 2πrh + 2πr². When: Label plus the two round ends of a can. Watch out: Leave out a lid that is not there, if the question says so.
Cylinder: volume: V = πr²h. When: Space inside a can, pipe or round tank. Watch out: Square the radius only, not the height.
Pyramid: surface area: SA = ½ps + B. When: Covering the faces and base of a pyramid. Watch out: s is the slant height, measured along a face.
Pyramid: volume: V = ⅓Bh. When: Space inside a pyramid. Watch out: B is the area of the base: for a square base, side times side.
Cone: surface area: SA = πrs + πr². When: Covering a cone, including its round base. Watch out: s is the slant height, not the straight-up height.
Cone: volume: V = ⅓πr²h. When: Space inside a cone: a paper cup, a pile of sand. Watch out: Forgetting the ⅓ triples the answer.
Sphere: surface area: SA = 4πr². When: Covering a ball. Watch out: Use the radius, half the diameter.
Sphere: volume: V = ⁴⁄₃πr³. When: Space inside a ball or a round tank. Watch out: The radius is cubed, not squared.
Formula sheet: Data
Mean: mean = total of the values ÷ number of values. When: The average of a data set. Watch out: Divide by how many values there are, including any zeros.
Median: median = middle value in order (or the mean of the two middle values). When: The middle of a data set. Watch out: Put the values in order first.
Formula sheet: Algebra
Slope of a line: m = (y₂ − y₁) ÷ (x₂ − x₁). When: Rate of change between two points or two rows of a table. Watch out: Keep the same order on top and bottom: start with the same point.
Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b. When: A line with a starting value b and a constant rate m. Watch out: b is where the line crosses the y-axis, when x = 0.
Point-slope form: y − y₁ = m(x − x₁). When: Writing a line from one point and the slope. Watch out: Subtracting a negative coordinate becomes adding.
Standard form of a quadratic equation: y = ax² + bx + c. When: Reading a, b and c before you use the quadratic formula. Watch out: Move every term to one side so the other side is 0.
Quadratic formula: x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) ÷ 2a. When: Solving ax² + bx + c = 0 when it does not factor easily. Watch out: Put negative values of b in parentheses before you square them.
Pythagorean theorem: a² + b² = c². When: A missing side of a right triangle: ladders, ramps, diagonals. Watch out: c is always the longest side, across from the right angle.
Simple interest: I = Prt. When: Interest on a loan or savings: I = interest, P = principal, r = rate, t = time. Watch out: Write the rate as a decimal and the time in years.
Distance formula: d = rt. When: Distance, speed (rate) or travel time. Watch out: This "distance formula" is d = rt. It is not the coordinate distance formula.
Total cost: total cost = (number of units) × (price per unit). When: Buying many of the same item. Watch out: Check that the price is per the same unit you are counting.
What is not on the GED formula sheet?
Mode and range: Mode is the most frequent value; range is highest minus lowest. Only mean and median are defined on the sheet.
Probability: Probability = favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes. Learn it in Lesson GP-M07.
Percent and percent change: Part = percent × whole; percent change = (new − old) ÷ old. Only simple interest is on the sheet.
Unit conversions: Such as 12 inches = 1 foot, 3 feet = 1 yard or 60 minutes = 1 hour. The question gives any unusual ones.
Rules of exponents: Such as aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ. These are tested in the no-calculator part.
The coordinate distance formula: The sheet’s "distance formula" is d = rt. For the distance between two points, draw a right triangle and use a² + b² = c².
How to use the formula sheet on a word problem
Name what the question asks for: a length, an area, a volume, money or time.
Find the matching group on the sheet, then the shape or situation.
Write the formula and match each letter to a number from the problem. Skip numbers you do not need.
Substitute, calculate and round only at the end.
Check the unit: length in ft, area in ft², volume in ft³.
What the lab does
Read a short word problem, pick the formula from GEDPilot’s re-typeset sheet, match each letter to a given value, calculate and choose the unit. A composite-figure mode adds and subtracts pieces of L-shapes, arches, gables and cut-outs. A quick quiz checks what is and is not on the sheet.
Do you get a formula sheet on the GED math test? Yes. GED.com says you do not have to memorize formulas: you get a formula sheet in the test center and on screen. On the online test, the math reference sheet opens as an on-screen drop-down.
What formulas are given on the GED? Area of a square, rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, trapezoid and circle; perimeter and circumference; surface area and volume of prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres; mean and median; slope, slope-intercept and point-slope forms; the quadratic formula; the Pythagorean theorem; simple interest I = Prt; d = rt; and total cost.
Is there a cheat sheet for the GED test? The official help is the formula sheet for math and the calculator reference sheet. The formula sheet tells you what each formula is, not when to use it, so practise choosing the right formula from a word problem.
Is percent on the GED formula sheet? No. Only simple interest, I = Prt, is listed. Learn part = percent × whole and percent change = (new − old) ÷ old yourself.
What does the "distance formula" on the GED sheet mean? On the GED sheet, the distance formula is d = rt: distance equals rate times time. It is not the coordinate distance formula. To find the distance between two points on a graph, draw a right triangle and use a² + b² = c².
Does GED Science have a formula sheet? No formula sheet is listed for Science. GED.com says you do not need to memorize science formulas because the question gives you the information you need. Science does give you the on-screen calculator.
Should I use 3.14 or the pi key? Follow the question. The sheet gives π as about 3.14. If a question says to use 3.14, use it; otherwise the π key is fine. Either way, round only at the end.
Sources
Facts checked 2026-10-26. Confirm current rules on GED.com before you book.
Independent preparation materials. Not affiliated with or endorsed by ACE or GED Testing Service. GED is a registered trademark owned by ACE. Practice results do not predict an official GED score, and GEDPilot does not guarantee a passing score.