What is volume?
Volume is the amount of space a solid object takes up. We measure it in cubic units such as cm³ or m³. Think of how many small 1 cm cubes would fit inside the object to fill it completely. The more cubes that fit, the larger the volume.
Key idea / Formula
Volume of a cuboid = length × width × height. Volume of a cube = side × side × side.
Working it out
For a box shape (cuboid) we multiply the three measurements together. A cube is a special cuboid where all sides are equal.
Worked example
A box is 4 cm long, 3 cm wide and 2 cm high.
Volume = 4 × 3 × 2 = 24 cm³.
A cube with a side of 3 cm has a volume of 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cm³.
Remember
- Volume uses cubic units: cm³ or m³.
- Multiply length × width × height, not add.
- A cube has all three measurements the same.