Volume Calculator

✓ Free online calculator · No signup · Instant results

Calculate the volume of cubes, cylinders, spheres, cones, and more in metric or imperial units. Calculate surface areas first with our Area Calculator, or estimate concrete fill for your project with the Concrete Calculator.

Select a shape, enter its dimensions, and get the volume in liters, cubic meters, gallons, and cubic feet—useful for planning tanks, pools, soil fill, or any container.

Volume Examples for Every Shape

Box / Rectangular Prism — Room or Container

A room 5 m × 4 m × 3 m has a volume of 60 m³ (60,000 L). For HVAC sizing, a common rule is 10 m³/kW — so this room needs a 6 kW air conditioning unit.

Cube — Storage Unit

A storage cube with 2 m sides has a volume of 8 m³ (8,000 L). Self-storage units are typically priced by m³, so knowing the volume helps compare rental costs.

Cylinder — Water Tank

A cylindrical tank with radius 1.5 m and height 2 m holds 14.14 m³ (14,137 L) — roughly 70 days of drinking water per person at 2 L/day.

Sphere — Decorative or Industrial Element

A sphere with radius 2 m has a volume of 33.51 m³ (33,510 L). Spherical pressure vessels are used in the chemical industry because they distribute internal stress evenly.

Cone — Grain Silo Tip

A cone with base radius 2 m and height 4 m has a volume of 16.76 m³. Industrial silos use a conical bottom so grain flows out by gravity without residue.

Pyramid — Architectural Feature

A pyramid with 4 m × 3 m base and height 5 m has a volume of 20 m³. Useful for estimating stone, concrete, or soil fill for garden or structural projects.

Real-World Volume Applications

Here are typical volumes for common objects to help you verify your calculations:

ApplicationShapeTypical Volume
BathtubBox~0.3 m³ (300 L)
Home swimming poolBox~50 m³ (50,000 L)
Water storage tankCylinder1–5 m³ (1,000–5,000 L)
Wine barrel (Bordeaux)Cylinder0.225 m³ (225 L)
20-ft shipping containerBox~33 m³
Standard aquariumBox0.1–0.5 m³ (100–500 L)
Raised garden bedBox0.3–0.8 m³

Formulas & Calculations

Select your shape and enter the required measurements. The calculator uses standard geometry formulas:

  • Box: V = Length × Width × Height
  • Cube: V = Side³
  • Cylinder: V = π × r² × h
  • Sphere: V = (4/3) × π × r³
  • Cone: V = (1/3) × π × r² × h

FAQ

How do I calculate the volume of a box or room?
Measure the length, width, and height in metres, then multiply all three together. A room 5 m × 4 m × 3 m = 60 m³ (60,000 L). This is also used for HVAC sizing: a 10 m³/kW rule means a 6 kW unit for that room.
How do I calculate the volume of a cylinder (e.g. water tank)?
Use V = π × r² × h. A tank with radius 1.5 m and height 2 m has a volume of π × 1.5² × 2 ≈ 14.14 m³ (14,137 L). Useful for sizing water storage, boilers, or swimming pool pumps.
What is the formula for the volume of a sphere?
V = (4/3) × π × r³. A sphere with radius 2 m has a volume of ≈ 33.51 m³. Used for spherical tanks, gas domes, and architectural decorative elements where pressure distribution is important.
How do I calculate the volume of a cone?
V = (1/3) × π × r² × h. A cone with base radius 2 m and height 4 m has a volume of ≈ 16.76 m³. Common applications: grain silo tips, industrial funnels, and conical storage hoppers.
How do I calculate the volume of a pyramid?
V = (1/3) × base area × height. For a rectangular base: V = (1/3) × length × width × height. A pyramid with 4 m × 3 m base and 5 m height = (1/3) × 12 × 5 = 20 m³.
How do I convert cubic metres to litres?
Multiply by 1,000. So 1 m³ = 1,000 L, 0.5 m³ = 500 L, and 14.14 m³ = 14,140 L. This calculator shows both m³ and litres automatically in the results.
How many litres in a cubic metre?
Exactly 1,000 litres. One cubic metre equals one kilolitre. So 1 m³ = 1,000 L = 1,000,000 mL = 1,000,000 cm³. This is a key conversion for water tanks and pool calculations.
How do I convert cubic metres to gallons?
1 m³ ≈ 264.17 US gallons or 219.97 UK (imperial) gallons. A 50 m³ pool holds approximately 13,209 US gallons. This calculator includes a gallon conversion in its results automatically.
How do I calculate how much water a pool holds?
For a rectangular pool, use V = length × width × average depth. An 8 m × 4 m × 1.5 m pool = 48 m³ = 48,000 L. For irregular shapes, divide into rectangles and sum the volumes.
How do I calculate the volume of soil needed for a raised garden bed?
Multiply length × width × depth. A 2 m × 1.2 m bed filled to 30 cm (0.3 m) depth needs 2 × 1.2 × 0.3 = 0.72 m³ of compost or topsoil. Add 10–15% extra for settling after watering.
How do I calculate the volume of a shipping container?
A standard 20-foot ISO container measures approx. 5.9 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m ≈ 33.1 m³ internal volume. A 40-foot container is roughly 67 m³. Use the Box shape with your container dimensions to verify.
How do I calculate aquarium volume in litres?
Measure the tank in centimetres (length × width × height), multiply, then divide by 1,000 for litres. An 80 cm × 35 cm × 40 cm tank = 112,000 cm³ ÷ 1,000 = 112 L. This determines fish stocking and filter sizing.
What is the difference between volume and capacity?
Volume is the total 3D space occupied by a solid object. Capacity is the maximum amount a hollow container can hold. Both use the same units (m³, litres) but capacity refers specifically to the usable interior space.
How do I calculate cubic feet from inches?
Multiply length × width × height in inches, then divide by 1,728 (since 12³ = 1,728 in³ per ft³). Example: 24 in × 18 in × 12 in = 5,184 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 3 ft³. This calculator shows ft³ results directly from metres.
How do I estimate concrete volume for a cylindrical pillar?
Use V = π × r² × h. A pillar 0.25 m radius and 3 m tall needs π × 0.0625 × 3 ≈ 0.589 m³ of concrete. Always add 5–10% wastage when ordering. Use our Concrete Calculator for full material breakdown.