Volume Calculator

Enter your values below and click Calculate for instant results.

Volume Formulas for Common Shapes

Volume measures the three-dimensional space enclosed by a shape, expressed in cubic units. The formulas differ by shape, but all share the principle of accounting for all three dimensions of the object.

When working with real-world volume problems, pay close attention to units. Mixing centimeters and meters in the same calculation without converting will produce incorrect results. All dimensions should be in the same unit before calculating.

Sphere

The volume of a sphere equals (4/3) times pi times the radius cubed. A sphere with radius 5 has a volume of approximately 523.6 cubic units. Spheres have the smallest surface area for a given volume of any shape, which is why bubbles, drops of water, and planets tend toward a spherical form under the influence of surface tension and gravity.

Cylinder

A cylinder's volume is pi times the radius squared times the height. This is essentially the area of the circular base multiplied by the height, which is the same principle that applies to any prism: base area times height equals volume.

Cone and Pyramid

Both cones and pyramids have a volume equal to one-third of what the corresponding prism or cylinder would have. A cone's volume is one-third of a cylinder with the same base and height. A square pyramid's volume is one-third of a rectangular box with the same base and height.