How to calculate volume
- Choose a shape: box, cube, cylinder, sphere, cone, pyramid, hemisphere, capsule, cone frustum or triangular prism.
- Enter the dimensions shown and choose the unit you measured in.
- Read the volume in your unit and in cubic metres, litres, cubic feet, cubic yards and US and UK gallons.
Volume formulas
Volume measures how much space a solid takes up, in cubic units. A box is length × width × height; a cylinder is π × radius² × height; a sphere is ⁴⁄₃ π r³; a cone or pyramid is one third of the matching cylinder or prism (⅓ × base area × height). A cone frustum, the shape of a bucket or lampshade, uses ⅓ π h (R² + Rr + r²).
Volume calculations are everyday tools: the capacity of a fish tank or rain barrel, how much water a pool holds, concrete for a column, soil for a raised bed, packaging and shipping sizes, or cooking pots. One cubic metre is 1,000 litres, about 264 US gallons; one cubic foot is about 28.3 litres. A cylinder 1 m across and 1.2 m tall holds about 942 litres. Make sure all dimensions use the same unit, and measure inside dimensions when you want capacity. Everything runs in your browser.
FAQ
How many litres are in a cubic metre?
1,000 litres.
How do I find the volume of a cylinder tank in gallons?
Choose Cylinder, enter the radius and height, and read the US or UK gallons.
What is the volume of a sphere with radius 1?
⁴⁄₃π ≈ 4.18879 cubic units.