Skip to content

Volume Calculator

Find the volume of 14 solids, including a cube, box, sphere, cylinder, cone and pyramid, and see it converted to litres, cubic feet and gallons.

Formulas last reviewed: September 2026

Disclaimer: Results are calculated with standard formulas and are meant for learning and quick checks. Please double-check important work, especially anything used for exams, engineering, finance or safety.

How much space does it take up?

Volume is the amount of three-dimensional space a solid occupies, measured in cubic units. It tells you how much water a tank holds, how much concrete a foundation needs or how much packing fits in a box.

This calculator covers 14 solids: cube, rectangular box, sphere, hemisphere, cylinder, cone, square and rectangular pyramids, cone frustum, capsule, ellipsoid, torus, spherical cap and regular tetrahedron. It also converts the result to litres, cubic feet and US gallons.

How it is calculated

Box: V = length × width × height
Cylinder: V = π r² h
Cone: V = ⅓ π r² h
Sphere: V = ⁴⁄₃ π r³

Worked example

Volumes with lengths in centimetres

Cylinder, r 3 and h 8
226.19 cm³
Sphere, r 5
523.6 cm³
Cone, r 3 and h 6
56.55 cm³
Box, 6 × 4 × 3
72 cm³

Handy conversions

UnitEquals
1 litre1,000 cm³
1 m³1,000 litres
1 cubic foot28.32 litres
1 US gallon3.785 litres

Frequently asked questions

How do I get the volume in litres?

Work in centimetres and divide the cm³ by 1,000, or work in metres and multiply the m³ by 1,000. The calculator shows litres for you.

What is the difference between volume and capacity?

Volume is the space a solid takes up, while capacity is how much a container can hold. For a hollow tank, use the inside measurements.

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 volume. The same is true for a pyramid and a prism.

Do all sides need the same unit?

Yes. Choose one unit for all lengths and the volume comes out in that unit cubed.