Volume Calculator

Calculate the volume of rectangular prisms, cylinders, spheres and cones with useful unit conversions.

Your volume will appear here.

About the Volume Calculator

Capacity and material quantities depend on three-dimensional space rather than surface area alone. This calculator applies the appropriate solid-geometry formula and converts the result into practical cubic or liquid-volume units.

Volume depends on all three dimensions. A small change in radius can have a large effect on cylinders or spheres because the radius is squared or cubed in the formula.

How to Use the Volume Calculator

  1. Choose the three-dimensional shape that matches the object.
  2. Enter the required dimensions using consistent units.
  3. Use internal dimensions when estimating container capacity and external dimensions when estimating the physical object volume.
  4. Calculate and convert the result into the volume unit relevant to the task.

How the Calculation Works

A rectangular prism uses V = length × width × height. A cylinder uses V = πr²h, and other supported solids use their corresponding geometric formulas.

Dimensions are converted to compatible units before multiplication or exponentiation, then the cubic result is converted to litres, gallons, cubic feet or another supported unit.

Worked example

Volume Calculator Worked Example

2 m × 1.5 m × 0.5 m rectangular box

Volume = 2 × 1.5 × 0.5 = 1.5 m³. Since one cubic metre equals 1,000 litres, the geometric volume is 1,500 litres.

Result guide

Understanding Your Volume Calculator Result

Geometric volume is not always usable capacity. Tanks and containers may have headspace, wall thickness, equipment or contents that displace part of the volume.

Before you rely on the answer

Assumptions and Limitations

  • The chosen shape reasonably represents the object.
  • Dimensions are measured on the appropriate internal or external basis.
  • Displacement and unusable headspace are excluded unless entered separately.

Practical tip

Using This Result in Practice

Keep all dimensions in one unit before checking the arithmetic by hand. Mixing centimetres and metres inside a volume formula can create errors by factors of thousands.

Related calculations

Useful Calculations to Continue With

For practical liquid storage with tank-specific shapes, use the Tank Volume Calculator.

If you only need the two-dimensional surface or footprint, use the Area Calculator instead.

Authoritative references

Useful Official Sources

For standards, definitions or real-world guidance related to this calculation, these primary sources may be useful:

Common questions

Volume Calculator FAQ

Why are volume units cubic?

Volume multiplies three lengths, so metres × metres × metres gives cubic metres.

Is container volume the same as usable capacity?

Not always. Headspace, wall shape and internal equipment can reduce how much material or liquid can actually be used.

How do I convert cubic metres to litres?

One cubic metre equals 1,000 litres, so multiply cubic metres by 1,000.