Volume Calculator
Calculate 3D volume for geometric shapes including rectangular boxes, cylinders, spheres, cones, and pyramids. Converts to cubic feet, yards, meters, and gallons.
Calculation Results
Calculated 3D volume in standard cubic feet.
Calculated volume in cubic yards (1 cu yd = 27 cu ft).
Calculated metric volume in cubic meters.
Calculated liquid holding capacity in US liquid gallons.
Calculated liquid holding capacity in metric liters.
How This Calculator Works
Calculate 3D volume and liquid capacity in three easy steps:
- Select Geometric Form: Pick rectangular box, cylinder, sphere, cone, or pyramid.
- Input Dimensions: Enter lengths, diameters, and heights in feet or inches.
- Review Conversions: Check cubic feet, cubic yards, cubic meters, and liquid gallon capacities.
Formula & Calculations
Volume calculations quantify the three-dimensional space enclosed by a closed geometric surface:
1. Standard Geometric Formulas
- Rectangular Prism:
Volume = Length × Width × Height - Cylinder:
Volume = π × (Diameter / 2)² × Height - Sphere:
Volume = (4/3) × π × (Diameter / 2)³ - Cone:
Volume = (1/3) × π × (Diameter / 2)² × Height - Square Pyramid:
Volume = (1/3) × Base Side² × Height
2. Universal Unit Conversions
- Cubic Yards:
Cubic Feet / 27 - Cubic Meters:
Cubic Feet × 0.0283168 - US Liquid Gallons:
Cubic Feet × 7.48052 - Metric Liters:
Cubic Feet × 28.3168
Step-by-Step Calculation Examples
Concrete Pier Footing (2ft Dia x 4ft Deep Cylinder)
Calculating concrete volume for a round drilled pier foundation.
- shape: cylinder
- diameter: 2
- height: 4
- volume_cu_ft: 12.57 cu ft
- volume_cu_yd: 0.47 cu yd
- volume_cu_m: 0.36 cu m
- volume_gallons: 94.0 gal
- volume_liters: 355.8 L
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3 feet wide x 3 feet long x 3 feet deep = 27 cu ft). To convert cubic feet to cubic yards, divide by 27.
How many gallons of liquid fit in one cubic foot?
One cubic foot holds exactly 7.48052 US liquid gallons of water. One cubic yard holds approximately 201.97 US gallons.
How do you calculate volume in liters from cubic meters?
One cubic meter (1 m³) equals exactly 1,000 liters. To convert cubic meters to liters, multiply by 1,000.
What is the difference between volume and capacity?
Volume refers to the amount of three-dimensional space an object occupies (measured in cubic feet, cubic meters, etc.). Capacity refers to how much liquid or fluid a container can hold (measured in gallons, liters, etc.).
How do you calculate the volume of an irregular 3D object?
For irregular shapes (such as L-shaped rooms or stepped footings), break the object down into smaller regular geometric solids (like two adjacent rectangular boxes), calculate each volume separately, and sum the results.
How do you calculate the volume of a conical stockpile of gravel or mulch?
A natural pile of bulk aggregate forms a cone. Measure the diameter across the base and the vertical height of the peak. Volume = (1/3) × π × (Diameter / 2)² × Height. Divide by 27 to find cubic yards.