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How to Setout a Square or Rectangle with Correct Diagonal

Side 1 Side 2 Rectangle Triangle Colour

To setout a square or rectangle, make sure the diagonal is the correct length for the side lengths. Enter 2 sides and hit Calculate to re-draw with correct diagonal. If the diagonal is for side lengths of and the has 90° corners (right angles) and is 'Square'.

Side 1 Side 2

How to set out a square or rectangle

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Setout a Square or Rectangle By Yourself - No one to help read the tape for the diagonal while you adjust the line?

Reference Length Side Length Profile Gap Measured Diagonal Adjust

If you're setting out a large square or rectangle (with profiles) by yourself with no one to read the diagonal from the tape as you adjust the string line at the profile to get it square (get the diagonal right), after you get it 'close' (eyeball it), measure the diagonal and enter it here to calculate how far to move the string line at the profile, to square it. The Red lines are what you have now - The Blue lines are where you need to be - The distance to move the string line is marked above the profile at the top of the diagram. Make sure the Reference Length, Side length and Profile Gap are accurate first.

Setout a Square or Rectangle By Yourself

If your Reference Length is flush on an existing structure, and there's no profile behind it, you're good to go. If the layout is separate, and needs 4 corner profiles, first find the 2 end Reference Length points (square off a boundary?) and drive stakes at each end of the Reference Length. These 2 points will stay put, and must be in the correct position. (they're reference points).
Next place the profile for the first side (as per diagram at top) and pull a line from the (permanent) reference point stake to the profile (eyeball it for square). Mark the Side Length (permanent marker) on the line from the Reference Length stake to measure diagonal to.
Use this calculator to adjust the line position to square the first side, then pull a line from this position on the profile BACK OVER THE REFERENCE POINT STAKE to position the line on the lower profile.
Now you have 1 side square from the Reference points, you can easily place the rest of the profiles and square the sides (check the diagonals).