Volume of a Rectangle Calculator

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Volume of a Rectangular Prism Calculator

Meters (m³) Centimeters (cm³) Inches (in³) Feet (ft³) Yards (yd³)
function calculateRectVolume() { var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('rectLength').value); var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('rectWidth').value); var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById('rectHeight').value); var unit = document.getElementById('unitSelect').value; var resultDiv = document.getElementById('volumeResult'); if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(height) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || height <= 0) { resultDiv.style.display = "block"; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#ffebee"; resultDiv.style.borderLeftColor = "#f44336"; resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter positive numbers for all dimensions."; return; } var volume = length * width * height; resultDiv.style.display = "block"; resultDiv.style.backgroundColor = "#e7f3ff"; resultDiv.style.borderLeftColor = "#0073aa"; resultDiv.innerHTML = "Resulting Volume: " + volume.toLocaleString(undefined, {maximumFractionDigits: 4}) + " cubic " + unit; }

How to Calculate the Volume of a Rectangular Prism

Calculating the volume of a rectangle (more accurately known as a rectangular prism or box) is a fundamental skill used in everything from shipping logistics to home construction. Whether you are figuring out how much water fits in a fish tank or how much space a box will take up in a truck, the math remains the same.

The Volume Formula

The formula for finding the volume of a rectangular prism is straightforward:

Volume = Length × Width × Height

To use this formula, ensure that all three dimensions are measured in the same unit. If you measure the length in inches, you must also measure the width and height in inches to get a result in cubic inches.

Step-by-Step Calculation Guide

  1. Measure the Length: Determine the distance of the longest side of the base.
  2. Measure the Width: Determine the distance of the shorter side of the base.
  3. Measure the Height: Determine the vertical distance from the bottom to the top.
  4. Multiply the Values: Multiply the length by the width, then multiply that result by the height.

Real-World Example

Imagine you have a shipping container that has the following dimensions:

  • Length: 12 feet
  • Width: 8 feet
  • Height: 8.5 feet

Using our calculator or the formula: 12 × 8 × 8.5 = 816 cubic feet.

Common Units for Volume

Unit Type Abbreviation Common Use
Cubic Centimeters cm³ Small packages, science labs
Cubic Meters m³ Pools, cargo ships, room size
Cubic Inches in³ Engine displacement, small boxes
Cubic Feet ft³ Refrigerators, storage units

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between area and volume?

Area measures the 2D surface of an object (Length × Width) and is expressed in square units. Volume measures the 3D space an object occupies (Length × Width × Height) and is expressed in cubic units.

Does the order of numbers matter?

No. Because of the commutative property of multiplication, multiplying Length × Width × Height gives the same result as Height × Length × Width.

How do I convert volume to liquid units?

If you have the volume in cubic centimeters, 1 cm³ is equal to 1 milliliter (ml). If you have cubic inches, 1 in³ is approximately 0.55 fluid ounces.

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