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Volume Calculator
Calculate the volume of rectangular prisms, cylinders, and spheres using different units of measurement.
What Is Volume?
Volume measures the amount of three-dimensional space occupied by an object. It is expressed in cubic units such as cubic feet, cubic meters, cubic inches, or cubic centimeters.
Volume calculations are useful for construction, storage, packaging, landscaping, manufacturing, containers, and many other applications.
How to Calculate Volume
The formula used to calculate volume depends on the shape of the object. This calculator supports rectangular prisms, cylinders, and spheres.
Rectangular Prism Volume
A rectangular prism has three dimensions: length, width, and height. Its volume is calculated by multiplying all three measurements.
Volume = length × width × height
For example, a box that is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 4 feet high has a volume of:
20 × 10 × 4 = 800 ft³
Cylinder Volume
The volume of a cylinder is calculated using its radius and height.
Volume = π × radius² × height
For example, a cylinder with a radius of 5 feet and a height of 10 feet has a volume of approximately 785.4 cubic feet.
Sphere Volume
The volume of a sphere is calculated using its radius.
Volume = 4/3 × π × radius³
A sphere with a radius of 5 feet has a volume of approximately 523.6 cubic feet.
Cubic Feet and Cubic Meters
Cubic feet (ft³) are commonly used in the United States for measuring rooms, storage spaces, construction materials, and other volumes.
Cubic meters (m³) are commonly used internationally and are the standard SI unit for volume.
One cubic meter is approximately 35.315 cubic feet.
Volume Calculator Example
Suppose you have a rectangular storage container that is 8 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 6 feet high.
Using the rectangular prism formula:
Volume = 8 × 5 × 6 = 240 ft³
The container therefore has a volume of 240 cubic feet.
Where Is Volume Used?
Volume calculations are useful in many everyday and professional situations, including:
- Estimating storage capacity
- Calculating construction materials
- Measuring containers and tanks
- Planning landscaping projects
- Calculating package dimensions
- Estimating the capacity of rooms and spaces
For related home projects, you can also use our Area Calculator and Concrete Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate the volume of a rectangular prism?
Multiply the length, width, and height. The formula is Volume = length × width × height.
How do you calculate the volume of a cylinder?
Multiply π by the radius squared and then multiply by the height. The formula is Volume = π × r² × h.
How do you calculate the volume of a sphere?
Multiply four-thirds by π and the radius cubed. The formula is Volume = 4/3 × π × r³.
What is the difference between area and volume?
Area measures a two-dimensional surface, while volume measures three-dimensional space.
How many cubic feet are in one cubic meter?
One cubic meter is approximately 35.315 cubic feet.
Can I calculate volume in meters?
Yes. Select meters as the unit and the calculator will return the result in cubic meters, along with the equivalent cubic-foot value.