Volume Calculator
Find the volume of a box, cylinder, sphere, cone, pyramid or capsule.
What the Volume Calculator does
Volume measures the space a solid occupies, in cubic units. Cones and pyramids hold exactly one third of the prism or cylinder that would enclose them — a useful sanity check when estimating.
Formula
Box = l × w × hCylinder = πr²hSphere = (4/3)πr³Cone = (1/3)πr²hPyramid = (1/3) × base area × h
Inputs explained
| Input | Unit | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape | one of 6 options | Yes | — |
| Length | number | In some modes | Accepts more than 0. Shown Shape is Rectangular box, or Shape is Rectangular pyramid. |
| Width | number | In some modes | Accepts more than 0. Shown Shape is Rectangular box, or Shape is Rectangular pyramid. |
| Radius | number | In some modes | Accepts more than 0. Shown in 4 of the 6 modes. |
| Height | number | In some modes | Accepts more than 0. Shown in 5 of the 6 modes. |
How to use it
- Choose Shape.
- Fill in the remaining inputs the form shows for your choice.
- Select Calculate.
Worked example
A cylindrical water tank 1.2 m across and 1.8 m tall.
- Shape
- Cylinder
- Radius
- 0.6
- Height
- 1.8
π × 0.36 × 1.8 ≈ 2.036 m³, about 2,036 litres.
Reading the result
- A cone or pyramid holds exactly one third of the prism or cylinder that would enclose it, which is a quick sanity check on any estimate.
- One cubic metre is 1,000 litres, and one cubic centimetre is one millilitre.
Common mistakes
- Cubing a length conversion factor incorrectly. One metre is 3.28 feet, but one cubic metre is 35.3 cubic feet.
- Entering a diameter where a radius is expected, which multiplies a sphere’s volume by eight.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cubic metres to litres?
Multiply by 1,000. One cubic metre holds exactly 1,000 litres.