Volume Calculator
Calculate the volume of spheres, cylinders, cones, cubes, and rectangular prisms.
This tool is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. See Terms of Service.
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This calculator computes the volume of five common 3D shapes. Results update instantly as you type.
- Select a shape. Choose from sphere, cylinder, cone, cube, or rectangular prism.
- Enter the dimensions. Each shape needs different inputs. Spheres and cubes need one measurement. Cylinders and cones need radius and height. Rectangular prisms need length, width, and height.
- Read the result. The volume displays with the formula used. Copy or share the result with the action buttons.
Volume is expressed in cubic units. If your inputs are in centimeters, the volume is in cubic centimeters. All formulas use the standard mathematical definitions: sphere (4/3 * pi * r^3), cylinder (pi * r^2 * h), cone (1/3 * pi * r^2 * h), cube (s^3), and rectangular prism (l * w * h).
About Volume Calculations
Volume measures the amount of three-dimensional space enclosed by a surface. It is expressed in cubic units, such as cubic meters, cubic feet, or liters. Volume calculations are essential for determining capacity (how much a container holds), material requirements (concrete, water, fill), shipping costs (dimensional weight), and manufacturing specifications. The sphere has the smallest surface area for a given volume, which is why bubbles and planets tend toward spherical shapes. A cone has exactly one-third the volume of a cylinder with the same base and height, a relationship first proven by Archimedes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula for the volume of a sphere?
The volume of a sphere is V = 4/3 * pi * r^3, where r is the radius. For a sphere with radius 5, the volume is 4/3 * pi * 125 = approximately 523.5988 cubic units.
How does cone volume relate to cylinder volume?
A cone has exactly 1/3 the volume of a cylinder with the same radius and height. The cone formula is V = 1/3 * pi * r^2 * h, while the cylinder is V = pi * r^2 * h. Three cones fill one cylinder.
What is a rectangular prism?
A rectangular prism (also called a cuboid or box) is a 3D shape with six rectangular faces. Its volume is length times width times height: V = l * w * h. A cube is a special case where all three dimensions are equal.