What units should I use for volume calculations?

Lengths are feet or meters. A metric result of at least 1 is cubic meters, otherwise liters. An imperial result of at least 1 is cubic feet, otherwise US gallons.

How accurate are the volume calculations?

The calculations use standard geometric formulas and are mathematically accurate. The precision depends on the accuracy of your input measurements. For engineering applications, use precise measurements.

Can I calculate volume for irregular shapes?

This calculator handles standard geometric shapes. For irregular shapes, break them down into simpler shapes (cubes, cylinders, etc.), calculate each separately, and sum the volumes.

What is the difference between volume and capacity?

Volume is the amount of space an object occupies, while capacity refers to how much a container can hold. They use the same units but capacity often refers to liquids (liters, gallons) while volume is typically in cubic units.

How do I convert between different volume units?

Common conversions: 1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters, 1 liter = 1,000 cubic centimeters, 1 cubic foot = 28.317 liters. Use online conversion tools or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor for your specific units.

Volume Calculator

Calculate the volume of cubes, spheres, cylinders, cones, and other shapes. Select a shape and enter its dimensions.

Length unit

Select Shape *

Side Length *

Smart Tips

• Volume is measured in cubic units (cubic meters, cubic feet, liters)

• 1 liter = 1,000 cubic centimeters = 0.001 cubic meters

• For irregular shapes, use water displacement or break into simpler shapes

• A result under 1 ft³ is shown in US gallons (1 ft³ = 1,728/231 gal). This page does not use the imperial gallon.

• Select the shape that matches your object for the most accurate volume result

• For cylinders and cones, height is measured perpendicular to the base

Volume Formulas

Shape	Formula
Cube	Volume = Side³
Sphere	Volume = (4/3) × π × Radius³
Cylinder	Volume = π × Radius² × Height
Cone	Volume = (1/3) × π × Radius² × Height
Rectangular Prism	Volume = L × W × H
Pyramid	Volume = (1/3) × Base² × Height
Ellipsoid	Volume = (4/3) × π × A × B × C

Key Insights

Common Shapes

Cube, Sphere, Cylinder, Cone, Rectangular Prism, Pyramid, and Ellipsoid are the most common.

Unit Consistency

Always use consistent units (meters, cm, feet, etc.) for accurate volume calculations.

Real-World Use

Essential in construction, engineering, manufacturing, and scientific research for planning.

Precision Matters

Precise measurements are critical for material planning and accurate cost estimation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lengths are feet or meters, set by the switch above the form. Switching converts the numbers already typed (1 ft = 0.3048 m). A metric result of at least 1 is shown in cubic meters; a smaller result is shown in liters (1 m³ = 1,000 L). An imperial result of at least 1 is shown in cubic feet; a smaller result is shown in US gallons (1 ft³ = 1,728/231 US gal).

The calculator uses standard geometric formulas (e.g., cube, sphere, cylinder, cone), so the math is exact for those shapes. Accuracy of the final result depends on how precisely you measure and enter the dimensions (radius, height, side length, etc.). Rounding inputs will round the outcome; for real-world uses like shipping or storage, measuring to a consistent precision (e.g., one decimal place) is usually sufficient.

This calculator covers standard shapes (box, sphere, cylinder, cone, etc.). For irregular objects, split the shape into parts that match those forms (e.g., a L-shaped room as two rectangular boxes), find the volume of each part, and add them. For very irregular or curved shapes, methods like water displacement or integration may be needed; those are beyond this tool but are used in labs and engineering.

Volume is the amount of three-dimensional space an object or region occupies, in cubic units (m³, cm³, ft³). Capacity is how much a container can hold—often expressed in liquid units such as liters (L) or gallons (gal). For the same container, volume and capacity are numerically related by conversion factors (e.g., 1 L = 1,000 cm³). In everyday language, "capacity" usually refers to containers (tanks, bottles); "volume" can refer to any shape.

This calculator converts only between the units it displays. Metric results are cubic meters, or liters when the volume is under 1 m³ (multiply m³ by 1,000). Imperial results are cubic feet, or US gallons when the volume is under 1 ft³ (multiply ft³ by 1,728/231). It does not convert to imperial gallons or cubic centimeters.

The shape formulas are the standard Euclidean formulas listed above. The foot is the international foot, 0.3048 m, from NIST Special Publication 811. One US gallon is 231 cubic inches, so 1 ft³ = 1,728/231 US gallons. Metric volumes use the litre, 0.001 m³, from the SI.

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Volume

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Note: Volume calculations are based on standard geometric formulas. For real-world applications, consider material density. Always verify critical measurements with professional tools.