Volume of a Rectangular Prism in Cubic Feet Calculator
What is a Rectangular Prism?
A rectangular prism (also known as a cuboid or rectangular box) is a three-dimensional shape with 6 rectangular faces. All angles of a rectangular prism are right angles (90°), and opposite faces are equal in size and parallel to each other.
Common examples of rectangular prisms include boxes, rooms, buildings, and shipping containers. Calculating the volume of a rectangular prism is useful for determining storage capacity, material requirements, and more.
Calculator
Volume Result
30 ft³
Volume in other units:
- 51,840 cubic inches
- 1.11 cubic yards
- 849.51 liters
- 224.42 US gallons
3D Visualization
The 3D model above shows a rectangular prism with your specified dimensions.
Volume Formula
The volume of a rectangular prism is calculated using the formula:
Volume = Length × Width × Height
Where:
- Length is the longest dimension of the rectangular prism (in feet)
- Width is the second longest dimension (in feet)
- Height is the shortest dimension (in feet)
- Volume is measured in cubic feet (ft³)
Using this formula gives you the capacity or the amount of space inside the rectangular prism.
Practical Examples
Storage Box
A storage box measures 2 feet long, 1.5 feet wide, and 1 foot high. Calculate its volume:
Volume = 2 ft × 1.5 ft × 1 ft = 3 cubic feet
This box can hold 3 cubic feet of items.
Room Size
A room is 12 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 8 feet high. Calculate its volume:
Volume = 12 ft × 10 ft × 8 ft = 960 cubic feet
This information is useful for calculating heating, cooling, and ventilation requirements.
Shipping Container
A standard shipping container is 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, and 8.5 feet high. Calculate its volume:
Volume = 20 ft × 8 ft × 8.5 ft = 1,360 cubic feet
This capacity helps in planning logistics and determining how much cargo can be transported.
Aquarium
An aquarium is 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet high. Calculate its volume:
Volume = 4 ft × 2 ft × 2 ft = 16 cubic feet
In gallons: 16 ft³ × 7.48 gallons/ft³ = 119.68 gallons
This calculation helps determine how much water the aquarium can hold and how many fish it can support.
Volume Unit Conversion
Use this table to convert cubic feet to other common volume units:
| Cubic Feet (ft³) | Cubic Inches (in³) | Cubic Yards (yd³) | Liters (L) | US Gallons (gal) | UK Gallons (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,728 | 0.037 | 28.317 | 7.481 | 6.229 |
| 2 | 3,456 | 0.074 | 56.634 | 14.962 | 12.458 |
| 5 | 8,640 | 0.185 | 141.584 | 37.405 | 31.144 |
| 10 | 17,280 | 0.370 | 283.168 | 74.810 | 62.288 |
| 20 | 34,560 | 0.741 | 566.337 | 149.620 | 124.577 |
| 50 | 86,400 | 1.852 | 1,415.842 | 374.050 | 311.442 |
| 100 | 172,800 | 3.704 | 2,831.685 | 748.100 | 622.884 |
*Note: All values are rounded to three decimal places
Applications & Uses
Shipping & Storage
Calculate container capacity for efficient packing, shipping, and storage planning.
Construction
Determine material quantities for concrete, fill dirt, gravel, and other construction materials.
Home & Architecture
Calculate room volumes for heating, cooling, and ventilation requirements.
Aquariums & Pools
Calculate water volume for maintenance, chemical treatment, and capacity planning.
Manufacturing
Determine material requirements and product dimensions for manufacturing processes.
Education
Teach and learn concepts of volume, measurement, and 3D geometry in math education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between volume and capacity?
Volume refers to the amount of space that an object occupies, while capacity refers to the amount of substance that an object can hold. For rectangular prisms, these measurements are often the same, but they can differ for other shapes.
How do I convert cubic feet to other volume units?
To convert cubic feet to other units, use these conversion factors:
- 1 cubic foot = 1,728 cubic inches
- 1 cubic foot = 0.037037 cubic yards
- 1 cubic foot = 28.3168 liters
- 1 cubic foot = 7.48052 US gallons
- 1 cubic foot = 6.22884 UK gallons
Can I use this calculator for non-rectangular shapes?
No, this calculator is specifically designed for rectangular prisms. For other shapes like cylinders, spheres, or cones, you would need different formulas and calculators.
Why is volume measured in cubic units?
Volume is measured in cubic units because it represents three-dimensional space. The “cubic” part indicates that the measurement includes three dimensions (length, width, and height) multiplied together.
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator provides accurate results based on the inputs you provide. The calculations are performed using standard mathematical formulas for volume. For most practical applications, the results will be sufficiently accurate.
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Volume of a Cube
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Calculate cylinder volume from radius and height measurements in feet.
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Calculate the volume of a sphere based on its radius in feet.