12 shapes in one place
Cube, box, cylinder, sphere, cone, pyramid, triangular prism, hemisphere, capsule, frustum, ellipsoid and hollow pipe. Switch with one tap.
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Volume Calculator
Find the volume of 12 common 3D shapes, from cubes and cylinders to cones, spheres and pipes. Enter dimensions in any unit and instantly get cubic units, liters and gallons, plus surface area, weight and the step-by-step formula.
- Live 3D diagrams
- Liters & gallons
- Surface area & weight
- Radius or diameter
Volume calculator for cubes, cylinders, spheres, cones and more
Choose a shape
Cylinder dimensions
Input unit
Measure round parts by
items
kg/m³
Volume
Volume in other units
- Surface area
- –
- Estimated weight
- –
Formula and working
Why it is better
A volume calculator that shows its work
Most volume calculators stack a dozen plain forms on one page and return a single number. This one puts every shape in one clean tool and explains the answer.
Live labeled diagrams
Each shape is drawn with its dimensions labeled, and the labels show your numbers as you type. You always know which value goes where.
Liters, gallons and more
Get the volume in cubic units, liters, US and UK gallons, fluid ounces and barrels at once. Tap any value to copy it.
Surface area included
Every shape also returns its total surface area, which is useful for paint, insulation, wrapping and material estimates.
Weight from material
Pick water, concrete, steel, sand or another material, or type a custom density, to estimate how heavy the object or its contents will be.
Formula with your numbers
See the formula, then the same formula with your values substituted, so you can check homework or show your working.
How to use
How to use the volume calculator
It takes a few seconds for any shape. Follow these four steps.
Pick a shape
Select the shape that best matches your object. The diagram shows which measurements you need.
Choose your units
Select mm, cm, m, in, ft or yd. For round shapes, choose whether you measured the radius or the diameter.
Enter the dimensions
Type each measurement. The volume, conversions and surface area update instantly as you type.
Read and convert
Pick the output unit you need, check the weight for your material and copy the result or the working.
Reference
Volume formulas for every shape
Here are the volume and surface area formulas this calculator uses. Select Calculate on any row to open that shape in the tool.
| Shape | Volume formula | Surface area formula | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cube | V = a³ | A = 6a² | |
| Rectangular box (cuboid) | V = l × w × h | A = 2(lw + lh + wh) | |
| Cylinder | V = πr²h | A = 2πr(r + h) | |
| Sphere | V = 4/3πr³ | A = 4πr² | |
| Cone | V = ⅓πr²h | A = πr(r + √(r² + h²)) | |
| Rectangular pyramid | V = ⅓lwh | A = lw + l√((w/2)² + h²) + w√((l/2)² + h²) | |
| Triangular prism | V = (triangle area) × L | A = 2 × area + (a + b + c)L | |
| Hemisphere | V = ⅔πr³ | A = 3πr² | |
| Capsule | V = πr²h + 4/3πr³ | A = 2πr(2r + h) | |
| Frustum (truncated cone) | V = ⅓πh(R² + Rr + r²) | A = π(R + r)s + πR² + πr² | |
| Ellipsoid | V = 4/3πabc | A ≈ 4π((aᵖbᵖ + aᵖcᵖ + bᵖcᵖ)/3)1/p | |
| Pipe / hollow cylinder | V = πh(R² − r²) | A = 2πh(R + r) + 2π(R² − r²) |
Worked examples
How to calculate volume step by step
Volume is always measured in cubic units, so first make sure every dimension uses the same unit. Then apply the formula for your shape, as in these three examples.
Cylinder
A can with r = 5 cm, h = 10 cm
- Square the radius: 5² = 25.
- Multiply by π and the height: π × 25 × 10.
- The result is 785.4 cm³.
Volume785.4 cm³ = 0.785 L
Box
A tank 10 × 8 × 3 ft
- Multiply the sides: 10 × 8 × 3 = 240 ft³.
- Convert to gallons: 240 × 7.48052.
- The tank holds about 1,795 US gallons.
Volume240 ft³ = 1,795 gal
Sphere
A ball with r = 3 in
- Cube the radius: 3³ = 27.
- Multiply by 4/3π: 4/3 × π × 27.
- The result is 113.1 in³.
Volume113.1 in³ = 1.85 L
Conversions
Volume unit conversion chart
Use this chart to convert between metric and imperial volume units. For other units, try our unit converter.
| Unit | Liters | Cubic feet | US gallons | Cubic inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic meter (m³) | 1,000 | 35.315 | 264.17 | 61,024 |
| 1 liter (L) | 1 | 0.035315 | 0.26417 | 61.024 |
| 1 cubic foot (ft³) | 28.317 | 1 | 7.4805 | 1,728 |
| 1 cubic inch (in³) | 0.016387 | 0.0005787 | 0.004329 | 1 |
| 1 cubic yard (yd³) | 764.55 | 27 | 201.97 | 46,656 |
| 1 US gallon | 3.7854 | 0.13368 | 1 | 231 |
| 1 UK gallon | 4.5461 | 0.16054 | 1.2009 | 277.42 |
| 1 US fluid ounce | 0.029574 | 0.0010444 | 0.0078125 | 1.8047 |
Key terms
Volume vs capacity vs surface area
These terms are often mixed up. Knowing the difference helps you choose the right result for your project.
Volume
The space a solid object takes up, measured in cubic units such as cm³, m³ or ft³. For example, a brick or a block of concrete has volume.
Capacity
How much a container can hold, usually given in liters, milliliters or gallons. It equals the inside volume of the container.
Surface area
The total area of all outside faces, in square units. You need it to estimate paint, wrapping, insulation or sheet material.
Benefits
Who uses this volume calculator
It runs entirely in your browser, works on any phone and needs no sign-up. Here is how different people use it.
Students and teachers
Check geometry homework, compare shapes and see each formula worked through with real numbers.
DIY and construction
Estimate concrete for round columns, soil for planters or gravel for a pit, along with the weight you will need to move.
Tanks and aquariums
Find how many liters or gallons a tank, pipe or drum holds, and how much the water inside will weigh.
Shipping and packaging
Work out box volume in cubic feet or meters for freight quotes, and the surface area for packaging material.
FAQ
Volume calculator FAQs
What is volume?
Volume is the amount of three-dimensional space an object takes up. It is measured in cubic units such as cm³, m³ or ft³, or in capacity units such as liters and gallons.
How do you calculate the volume of a cylinder?
Multiply π by the radius squared and by the height: V = πr²h. For example, a cylinder with a 5 cm radius and a 10 cm height holds π × 25 × 10 = 785.4 cm³, or about 0.785 liters.
What is the formula for the volume of a sphere?
The formula is V = 4/3πr³. For a ball with a 3 inch radius, the volume is 4/3 × π × 27 = 113.1 cubic inches.
How do I convert cubic feet to gallons?
Multiply cubic feet by 7.48052 for US gallons, or by 6.22884 for UK gallons. So 10 ft³ is about 74.8 US gallons. The calculator shows both automatically.
How many liters are in a cubic meter?
There are exactly 1,000 liters in one cubic meter. One liter is also equal to 1,000 cm³, which means 1 mL is the same as 1 cm³.
Why is a cone one third of a cylinder?
A cone with the same base and height as a cylinder holds exactly one third of the cylinder’s volume, so its formula is V = ⅓πr²h. The same rule links a pyramid to a box with the same base and height.
How do I find the volume of an irregular shape?
Split it into simple shapes, find each volume with this calculator and add them together. For small solid objects, you can also put them in water and measure how much the water level rises.
Can I enter a diameter instead of a radius?
Yes. Set Measure round parts by to Diameter and the calculator halves each value for you. This works for cylinders, spheres, cones, hemispheres, capsules, frustums and pipes.
Measure with confidence
Get the right volume for any shape
Whether you are filling a tank, pouring concrete or solving a geometry problem, this volume calculator gives you the answer in every unit you need, with the working to prove it.
Calculate a volume