Blog/SAT Math Formula Sheet: Every Formula You Need (2026)
SAT Math·12 min read
SAT Math Formula Sheet: Every Formula You Need (2026)
Complete SAT math formula sheet with every formula the test gives you and every formula you must memorize. Organized by topic with study tips.
Larry Learns
Last Updated: March 25, 2026
Key Takeaways
The Digital SAT provides a reference sheet with 12 geometry formulas and 3 geometric facts, but nothing for algebra, statistics, or advanced math
You need to memorize roughly 30 additional formulas covering linear equations, quadratics, exponents, statistics, and trigonometry
Knowing which formulas are given and which are not is just as important as knowing the formulas themselves
The most frequently tested formulas are slope-intercept form, the quadratic formula, and percent change
Every SAT math formula sheet you will ever need is on this page. The Digital SAT math section tests 44 questions across two modules, and while the College Board provides a reference sheet during the test, it only covers basic geometry. Everything else, from slope to the quadratic formula, needs to be in your head before test day.
This guide splits every formula into two clear groups: what the SAT gives you and what you must memorize. If you are looking for SAT math practice questions to drill these formulas, we have those too.
Formulas the SAT Gives You (The Reference Sheet)
When you open the Bluebook testing app on test day, the reference sheet is available at the top of both math modules. You can access it at any time by clicking the reference button. Here is exactly what it includes:
Formula
Equation
When You Use It
Area of a circle
A = πr²
Circle area problems, shaded region questions
Circumference of a circle
C = 2πr
Finding distance around circles, arc length
Area of a rectangle
A = lw
Basic area problems
Area of a triangle
A = ½bh
Triangle area, composite shapes
Pythagorean theorem
a² + b² = c²
Right triangles, distance between points
45-45-90 triangle
Sides: x, x, x√2
Special right triangles, diagonal of a square
30-60-90 triangle
Sides: x, x√3, 2x
Special right triangles, equilateral triangle halves
Volume of a rectangular prism
V = lwh
Box and tank problems
Volume of a cylinder
V = πr²h
Cylindrical containers, pipes
Volume of a sphere
V = (4/3)πr³
Sphere problems (less common)
Volume of a cone
V = (1/3)πr²h
Cone problems (less common)
Volume of a pyramid
V = (1/3)lwh
Pyramid problems (less common)
The reference sheet also states three facts:
A circle contains 360 degrees of arc
A circle contains 2π radians of arc
The angles in a triangle sum to 180 degrees
Notice something important: every formula on the reference sheet is geometry. The SAT gives you zero algebra formulas, zero statistics formulas, and zero advanced math formulas. That means the formulas below are entirely on you.
Linear equations make up roughly 35% of SAT math questions, making these the most important formulas on this entire SAT math formula sheet.
Formula
Equation
What to Know
Slope-intercept form
y = mx + b
m = slope, b = y-intercept. The most tested formula on the SAT.
Point-slope form
y − y₁ = m(x − x₁)
Useful when you know a point and the slope.
Standard form
Ax + By = C
Often used in systems of equations questions.
Slope formula
m = (y₂ − y₁) / (x₂ − x₁)
Rise over run. Watch the sign: subtract in the same order.
Midpoint formula
((x₁+x₂)/2, (y₁+y₂)/2)
Finds the point exactly between two coordinates.
Distance formula
d = √((x₂−x₁)² + (y₂−y₁)²)
Derived from the Pythagorean theorem. Use for coordinate distance.
Parallel lines
Same slope (m₁ = m₂)
Parallel lines never intersect and share the same slope.
Perpendicular lines
m₁ × m₂ = −1
Slopes are negative reciprocals of each other.
Quadratic Equations
Quadratics are the second most heavily tested topic. You will likely see 6 to 10 questions involving these formulas.
Formula
Equation
What to Know
Standard form
y = ax² + bx + c
c is the y-intercept. Used to identify parabola direction (a > 0 opens up).
Quadratic formula
x = (−b ± √(b²−4ac)) / 2a
Solves any quadratic. The SAT does NOT give you this formula.
Discriminant
D = b² − 4ac
D > 0: two real solutions. D = 0: one solution. D < 0: no real solutions.
Vertex form
y = a(x − h)² + k
(h, k) is the vertex. Great for max/min value questions.
Vertex from standard form
x = −b / 2a
Finds the x-coordinate of the vertex without completing the square.
Factored form
y = a(x − r₁)(x − r₂)
r₁ and r₂ are the x-intercepts (roots/zeros).
Difference of squares
a² − b² = (a+b)(a−b)
A favorite SAT factoring shortcut. Appears nearly every test.
Exponents, Radicals, and Functions
These formulas show up in the Advanced Math domain, which accounts for about 35% of questions. Exponent rules in particular are tested frequently.
Rule
Formula
Product of powers
aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ
Quotient of powers
aᵐ / aⁿ = aᵐ⁻ⁿ
Power of a power
(aᵐ)ⁿ = aᵐⁿ
Negative exponent
a⁻ⁿ = 1/aⁿ
Zero exponent
a⁰ = 1 (when a ≠ 0)
Fractional exponent
aᵐ/ⁿ = ⁿ√(aᵐ)
Exponential growth/decay
f(x) = a × bˣ
Compound interest
A = P(1 + r/n)ⁿᵗ
Statistics and Probability
The Problem Solving and Data Analysis domain makes up about 15% of SAT math. These formulas are straightforward but easy to mix up under time pressure.
Formula
Equation
What to Know
Mean (average)
Mean = sum of values / number of values
The SAT loves asking you to find a missing value given the mean.
Percent change
(new − old) / old × 100
Always divide by the original value, not the new value.
Probability
P = favorable outcomes / total outcomes
Used with two-way frequency tables on nearly every SAT.
Distance, rate, time
d = r × t
Rearranges to r = d/t or t = d/r depending on what you need.
Geometry and Trigonometry (Beyond the Reference Sheet)
The reference sheet covers basic geometry, but the SAT also tests circle equations, arc length, sector area, and basic trigonometry. These formulas are not provided.
Formula
Equation
What to Know
Equation of a circle
(x−h)² + (y−k)² = r²
(h, k) is the center, r is the radius. A top-5 most tested formula.
Arc length
L = (central angle / 360) × 2πr
The fraction of the circumference covered by the angle.
Sector area
A = (central angle / 360) × πr²
The fraction of the circle area covered by the angle.
Sine (SOH)
sin(θ) = opposite / hypotenuse
Remember SOH CAH TOA. The SAT tests basic right-triangle trig, not identities.
Cosine (CAH)
cos(θ) = adjacent / hypotenuse
Tangent (TOA)
tan(θ) = opposite / adjacent
Complementary angle identity
sin(x) = cos(90° − x)
Appears on at least one question per test. Easy points once you know it.
Radian-degree conversion
Radians = degrees × π/180
Know that π radians = 180 degrees.
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How to Memorize SAT Math Formulas
Knowing which formulas you need is only half the battle. You also need to recall them quickly under test day pressure. Here are five study methods that work, ordered from most effective to least.
Practice problems first, flashcards second. Formulas stick when you use them in context. Start a practice quiz focused on algebra or geometry, and you will naturally drill the formulas that come up most often.
Group formulas by topic. Study all the linear equation formulas together, then all the quadratic formulas, then exponents. Your brain builds stronger connections when related formulas are learned as a set.
Write them out by hand. Research consistently shows that handwriting improves retention over typing. Write each formula on a physical flashcard with a sample problem on the back.
Use spaced repetition. Review formulas at increasing intervals: today, tomorrow, three days later, one week later. This is how long-term memory forms.
Focus on what you actually forget. After a practice session, note which formulas you could not recall. Those go into a separate "trouble" pile for extra review.
Most students can memorize all the SAT math formulas in two to three weeks of focused practice. If you are building a study schedule, plan to start formula review at least three weeks before test day.
Common Mistakes With SAT Math Formulas
Even students who know every formula make errors under pressure. Watch out for these traps, especially when tackling harder SAT math questions.
Confusing the slope formula with the midpoint formula. Slope divides the difference in y by the difference in x. Midpoint averages the coordinates. One uses subtraction, the other addition.
Forgetting the ± in the quadratic formula. If you only compute one root, you miss half the answer. Always check whether the question asks for one solution or both.
Using the wrong base in percent change. Percent change always divides by the original (old) value. Dividing by the new value is wrong and will give you a different answer.
Mixing up r and r² in circle equations. If the equation says (x−3)² + (y+2)² = 25, the radius is 5 (not 25). The equation uses r², so you need to take the square root.
Applying exponent rules to different bases. The rule aᵐ × aⁿ = aᵐ⁺ⁿ only works when the base is the same. You cannot combine 2³ × 3² this way.
Forgetting that the discriminant tells you how many solutions exist. If a question asks "how many real solutions does this equation have?" you do not need to solve. Just compute b² − 4ac.
SAT vs. ACT: Do You Need Different Formulas?
If you are deciding between the two tests or preparing for both, the good news is that there is significant overlap. About 80% of the formulas on this SAT math formula sheet also appear on the ACT. The key differences:
Topic
SAT
ACT
Reference sheet provided?
Yes (12 geometry formulas)
No reference sheet at all
Calculator
Allowed on all questions (Desmos built in)
Allowed on all questions (bring your own)
Trigonometry depth
Basic (SOH CAH TOA, unit circle basics)
More advanced (law of sines, law of cosines, trig identities)
Frequently Asked Questions About SAT Math Formulas
Does the SAT give you a formula sheet?
Yes. The Digital SAT provides a reference sheet with 12 geometry formulas (areas, volumes, Pythagorean theorem, special right triangles) and three geometric facts. You can access it at any time during both math modules by clicking the reference button in Bluebook. However, it does not include any algebra, statistics, or advanced math formulas.
Is the quadratic formula given on the SAT?
No. The quadratic formula (x = (−b ± √(b²−4ac)) / 2a) is not on the reference sheet. You must memorize it. This is one of the most important SAT math formulas to know because quadratic equations appear on every single test.
How many formulas do you need to memorize for the SAT?
Beyond the 12 formulas provided on the reference sheet, you should memorize roughly 30 additional formulas. That sounds like a lot, but many are simple (like y = mx + b) and most students already know 10 to 15 of them from school.
Can I bring a formula sheet to the SAT?
No. You cannot bring any reference materials, formula sheets, or notes into the testing room. The only formulas available to you are the ones on the built-in Digital SAT reference sheet and whatever you have memorized. According to College Board policy, outside materials are not permitted.
What are the most important SAT math formulas to memorize first?
Start with the formulas that appear most frequently: slope-intercept form (y = mx + b), the quadratic formula, the equation of a circle, percent change, and the discriminant. These five alone cover a significant portion of SAT math questions. Once those are solid, move on to exponent rules and trigonometric ratios.
Are SAT math formulas the same as ACT math formulas?
About 80% overlap. Both tests require the same algebra, geometry, and statistics formulas. The main differences are that the ACT does not provide any reference sheet (so you need to memorize the geometry formulas too), and the ACT tests slightly more advanced trigonometry including law of sines and law of cosines. See our ACT formula guide for the full comparison.
How long does it take to memorize all SAT math formulas?
Most students can memorize all the essential formulas in two to three weeks with daily 15-minute review sessions. The key is spaced repetition: review new formulas daily, then space out reviews as they become more familiar. Combining memorization with practice questions speeds up the process significantly because you learn formulas in context.
What is the hardest SAT math formula to remember?
Students most commonly struggle with the quadratic formula, compound interest formula, and the circle equation. The quadratic formula has many parts that are easy to mix up, compound interest has multiple variables, and students often confuse the radius with the radius squared in circle equations. Writing these out by hand repeatedly is the best way to lock them in. For targeted practice on challenging problems, try our SAT math study guide.
