Volume Calculator UK 2025
Calculate the volume of any 3D shape with our comprehensive UK volume calculator. Get instant results in litres, cubic metres, UK gallons, cubic feet and more. Perfect for GCSE maths revision, DIY projects, construction planning and tank capacity calculations.
Calculate Volume of 3D Shapes
Tank & Container Capacity Calculator
Calculate the capacity of water tanks, oil tanks, fish tanks and storage containers commonly used in the UK.
Composite Shapes Volume Calculator
Calculate volumes of combined shapes commonly found in GCSE Higher tier and real-world construction projects.
Hemisphere radius will match cylinder radius automatically.
Construction Materials Volume Calculator
Calculate volumes for common UK construction materials including concrete, aggregate, topsoil and sand.
Volume Unit Converter
Convert between metric and UK imperial volume units. Note: UK gallons differ from US gallons!
Conversion Results
⚠️ UK vs US Units Warning
UK and US volume measurements differ significantly:
• 1 UK gallon = 4.546 litres (1 US gallon = 3.785 litres)
• 1 UK pint = 568ml (1 US pint = 473ml)
Always verify which system is being used!
📐 Volume Formulas for GCSE Maths
Master these essential volume formulas required for AQA, Edexcel, OCR and WJEC GCSE Mathematics examinations.
📚 GCSE Exam Tip
Volume formulas are provided on the GCSE formula sheet. Focus on understanding when to use each formula and how to identify the correct measurements from diagrams and word problems.
📦 Cube
Side × Side × Side. All edges are equal length. Common exam question: find side length when given volume (use cube root).
📦 Cuboid
Length × Width × Height. The most common 3D shape in exams. Also called a rectangular prism or box.
🎱 Sphere
Four-thirds × π × radius cubed. Higher tier. Hemisphere is half: V = ²⁄₃πr³
🥫 Cylinder
π × radius squared × height. Foundation and Higher tier. Very common in real-world context questions.
🍦 Cone
One-third of a cylinder with same base and height. Higher tier. Ice cream cone questions are common!
🔺 Prism
Cross-section area × length. Works for any prism shape. Calculate the 2D area first, then multiply by depth.
⬆️ Pyramid
One-third × base area × perpendicular height. Higher tier. Base can be square, rectangular or triangular.
🔗 Composite Shapes
Add volumes for joined shapes, subtract for hollow shapes. Higher tier problem-solving questions.
GCSE Volume Question Strategy
- Identify the shape – Read carefully, diagrams may show composite shapes
- List known measurements – Watch for units (cm vs m) and diameter vs radius
- Select the correct formula – Use the formula sheet provided
- Substitute values carefully – Show clear working for method marks
- Calculate step by step – Don't rush; square/cube before multiplying
- Round appropriately – Usually to 3 significant figures or as specified
- Include units – cm³, m³, litres as required by the question
🧱 Volume Calculations for UK Construction & DIY
⚠️ Building Regulations Note
Volume calculations for construction work may need to comply with Building Regulations. For foundations, minimum depths vary by soil type (Part A). Always consult a structural engineer for load-bearing work.
Concrete Volume Calculations
Ready-mix concrete in the UK is sold by the cubic metre (m³). Here's how to calculate volumes for common projects:
| Project Type | Typical Dimensions | Volume Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden shed base | 2.4m × 1.8m × 100mm | L × W × D | 0.43 m³ |
| Strip foundation | 20m × 0.6m × 0.3m | L × W × D | 3.6 m³ |
| Patio slab | 6m × 4m × 100mm | L × W × D | 2.4 m³ |
| Fence post holes (10) | 30cm dia × 60cm deep × 10 | πr²h × quantity | 0.42 m³ |
| Driveway | 10m × 3m × 150mm | L × W × D | 4.5 m³ |
💷 Cost-Saving Tip
Ready-mix concrete delivery typically has a minimum order of 1-2 m³. For smaller projects under 0.5 m³, consider mixing your own using bags of ballast and cement (typically 1:6 ratio). A 25kg bag of ready-mixed concrete makes approximately 0.012 m³.
Aggregate & Gravel Coverage
Calculate how much aggregate you need for driveways, paths and drainage projects:
| Material | Typical Depth | Coverage per Tonne | Bulk Bag Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decorative gravel (10-20mm) | 30-50mm | 12-15 m² at 50mm | 850-1000kg |
| MOT Type 1 (sub-base) | 100-150mm | 5-8 m² at 100mm | 850kg |
| Sharp sand | 25-50mm | 10-12 m² at 50mm | 850kg |
| Topsoil | 150-300mm | 5-6 m² at 150mm | 850kg |
UK Tank Capacities
Common tank sizes and volumes found in UK homes and gardens:
| Tank Type | Typical Capacity | UK Gallons | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home heating oil tank (standard) | 1,000-1,200 litres | 220-264 gal | Must comply with OFTEC regulations |
| Cold water storage tank | 230 litres | 50 gal | Standard UK loft tank |
| Hot water cylinder | 120-300 litres | 26-66 gal | Depends on household size |
| Garden water butt | 200-350 litres | 44-77 gal | Rainwater harvesting |
| IBC container | 1,000 litres | 220 gal | Standard industrial container |
| Septic tank (2-3 bed) | 2,700 litres minimum | 594 gal | Building Regs requirement |
🇬🇧 UK vs US Volume Units: Key Differences
Why Does This Matter?
Online calculators and product specifications often default to US measurements. Using the wrong gallon size can mean ordering 20% too little or too much material!
| Unit | UK Imperial | US Customary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gallon | 4.546 litres | 3.785 litres | UK is 20% larger |
| Pint | 568 ml | 473 ml | UK is 20% larger |
| Fluid Ounce | 28.41 ml | 29.57 ml | US is 4% larger |
| Cup (cooking) | 284 ml (10 fl oz) | 240 ml (8 fl oz) | UK is 18% larger |
| Tablespoon | 17.76 ml | 14.79 ml | UK is 20% larger |
Common Conversion Factors
- Litres to UK Gallons: Divide by 4.546
- Litres to US Gallons: Divide by 3.785
- Cubic Metres to Litres: Multiply by 1,000
- Cubic Metres to UK Gallons: Multiply by 219.969
- Cubic Feet to Litres: Multiply by 28.317
- Cubic Inches to cm³: Multiply by 16.387
- UK Gallons to US Gallons: Multiply by 1.201
Frequently Asked Questions
To convert cubic metres to UK gallons, multiply by 219.969. For example, a 1 cubic metre tank holds approximately 220 UK gallons. This differs from US gallons - 1 cubic metre equals 264.2 US gallons. UK gallons are larger at 4.546 litres compared to US gallons at 3.785 litres. Always check which gallon measurement is being used, especially when ordering materials or reading specifications from international suppliers.
GCSE Maths requires these volume formulas: Cube (side³), Cuboid (l×w×h), Cylinder (π×r²×h), Sphere (4/3×π×r³), Cone (1/3×π×r²×h), Prism (area of cross-section × length), and Pyramid (1/3 × base area × height). Higher tier includes composite shapes and hemisphere calculations. All formulas are provided on the AQA, Edexcel and OCR formula sheets, so focus on recognising which formula to use and correctly identifying measurements from diagrams.
Calculate concrete volume in cubic metres (m³) by multiplying length × width × depth (all in metres). UK ready-mix concrete is typically sold per cubic metre. Add 10% wastage for complex shapes or inexact excavations. For foundations, Building Regulations Approved Document A specifies minimum depths of 450mm for strip foundations in clay soil. A typical UK domestic foundation might be 600mm wide × 300mm deep. Most suppliers have minimum orders of 1-2 m³ for delivery, so for smaller projects consider bagged concrete (approximately 0.012 m³ per 25kg bag).
Common UK volumes: 1 litre = 1,000 cm³ = 0.001 m³; 1 UK gallon = 4.546 litres (NOT 3.785 US gallons); 1 cubic foot = 28.317 litres; 1 pint = 568ml (UK) not 473ml (US). Standard UK shipping containers are 20ft (33.2m³) or 40ft (67.6m³). Typical UK petrol tanks hold 40-70 litres, home heating oil tanks are usually 1,000-2,500 litres, and standard IBC containers hold 1,000 litres (220 UK gallons). Loft water tanks are typically 230 litres (50 UK gallons).
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💡 Pro Tips for Accurate Results ▼
- Double-check your input values before calculating
- Use the correct unit format (metric or imperial)
- For complex calculations, break them into smaller steps
- Bookmark this page for quick future access
📊 Understanding Your Results ▼
Our Volume Calculator provides:
- Instant calculations - Results appear immediately
- Accurate formulas - Based on official UK standards
- Clear explanations - Understand how results are derived
- 2025/26 updated - Using current rates and regulations
❓ Common Questions ▼
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