Volume Formulas Cheat Sheet: Cubes, Spheres, Cylinders & Cones
September 18, 2026
Volume measures the three-dimensional space a shape occupies, always in cubic units. Here's the formula for every common shape in one place.
Skip the math and get your answer instantly:
Open the Volume Calculator →Volume Formula Reference Table
| Shape | Formula |
|---|---|
| Cube | s³ |
| Rectangular prism | l × w × h |
| Sphere | (4/3) × π × r³ |
| Cylinder | π × r² × h |
| Cone | (1/3) × π × r² × h |
| Square pyramid | (1/3) × base area × h |
Worked Example: Comparing Tank Shapes
A rectangular tank measuring 2m × 1m × 1m holds 2 cubic meters. A cylindrical tank with a 0.8m radius and 1m height holds π × 0.8² × 1 ≈ 2.01 cubic meters — almost identical capacity, despite a very different footprint. This is why comparing volume, not just one dimension, matters when choosing a container shape.
Converting Volume Units
1 cubic meter = 1,000 liters. 1 cubic foot ≈ 7.48 US gallons. 1,728 cubic inches = 1 cubic foot. Always convert all dimensions to the same unit before calculating volume, then convert the final cubic result to whatever unit you actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the formula for a rectangular prism (box)?
Volume = length × width × height — multiply all three dimensions together.
How do I calculate the volume of a pyramid?
Volume = (1/3) × base area × height, where base area is calculated using the appropriate 2D formula for the pyramid's base shape.
How many liters are in a cubic meter?
1,000 liters — since 1 liter is defined as exactly 1,000 cubic centimeters, and 1 cubic meter contains 1,000,000 cubic centimeters.
How do I convert cubic inches to cubic feet?
Divide by 1,728 (which is 12³, since there are 12 inches per foot in each of the three dimensions).
Does the volume formula change based on units?
No — the formula structure stays the same regardless of units. Just keep all input dimensions in the same unit before calculating, then convert the final cubic result if you need a different unit.