Volume Calculator

Five everyday 3D shapes—cubes, boxes (rectangular prisms), cylinders, spheres, and cones—are covered here, with both volume and surface area computed for each. Anyone estimating materials in manufacturing or construction, or simply sizing up a home project, can get the numbers they need to plan accurately.

Each shape draws on its own standard geometric formula. A cylinder's volume, for example, is π * r² * h and its surface area is 2πr(r + h), while a sphere's volume works out to (4/3)πr³ with a surface area of 4πr². Supply the relevant dimensions and the matching formula does the rest.

The inputs are in feet: volume comes out in cubic feet and surface area in square feet, and the calculator converts the volume to cubic inches, US gallons (7.48052 per cubic foot) and liters (28.3168 per cubic foot). Mixing units throws off every result, so convert inches or meters to feet first; if you enter meters anyway, the volume and area are in cubic and square meters but the gallon and liter lines no longer apply. It also pays to be clear about what 'surface area' means for your task, since the figure may describe the total surface or only the lateral surface depending on the application you have in mind.