Worked Volume Examples
Each example below follows the same three steps: write the formula, substitute the numbers, simplify. That is exactly how to earn full marks in an exam and how to catch your own mistakes. Every shape links to a calculator that shows the same working automatically.
Example 1 — Cube
Find the volume of a cube with edge 4 cm.
Try your own numbers on the cube calculator.
Example 2 — Rectangular box
A box measures 5 cm × 4 cm × 3 cm.
Example 3 — Cylinder
A can has radius 3 cm and height 10 cm.
That is about 283 mL — a standard soft-drink can. See the cylinder calculator.
Example 4 — Cone
An ice-cream cone has base radius 2 cm and height 9 cm.
Example 5 — Sphere
A ball has radius 5 cm.
Example 6 — Square pyramid
A pyramid has a 6 cm square base and height 10 cm.
Example 7 — A real-world mix
How much water fills a cylindrical tank 1.2 m across and 2 m tall?
Radius = 1.2 ÷ 2 = 0.6 m. Then:
Because 1 m³ = 1,000 L, the litres follow immediately. The water tank calculator does this in one step.
Ready to practise?
These examples give you the pattern; the volume word problems page turns them into full questions with answers to check against.
Frequently asked questions
What is an example of calculating volume?
For a box 5 cm long, 4 cm wide and 3 cm high, volume = 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 cubic centimetres. You multiply the three dimensions together, keeping them all in the same unit.
How do you show working for a volume calculation?
Write the formula, substitute the numbers, then simplify. For a cylinder: V = πr²h = π × 3² × 10 = π × 9 × 10 = 282.7 cm³. Showing each step earns full marks and makes errors easy to spot.
What is the volume of a sphere with radius 5 cm?
V = (4/3)π × 5³ = (4/3)π × 125 = 523.6 cubic centimetres.