10/08/2025, 18:27 Volume Formula - GCSE Maths - Steps, Examples & Worksheet
GCSE Maths Geometry and Measure 3D Shapes Volume Volume Formula
Volume Formula
Here we will learn about volume formulas, including the formula for calculating the volume of 3D shapes and how to use the volume
formula to solve problems.
There are also worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re
still stuck.
What is a volume formula?
A volume formula is a formula which is used to calculate the volume of a 3D shape. Volume is the amount of space there is inside a
shape.
To calculate the volume of an object in three dimensions, we can use the various volume formulas.
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Cube Volume = a3
Cuboid Volume = l × w × h
(or rectangular prism)
Prism Volume = Area of cross section × Length
Cylinder Volume = πr2 h
Pyramid Volume = 1
3
× Area of base × Height
Volume = 13 πr2 h
Cone
(Volume = 1
3
× Area of base × Height)
Sphere Volume = 43 πr3
The formulae for the volume of a cone and the volume of a sphere are given to you for GCSE maths. You need to learn the other
formulae.
Volume is measured in cubic units.
Metric units examples
cm3 (cubic centimetres),
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m (cubic metres),
3
mm3 (cubic millimetres).
Imperial units examples
cubic feet,
cubic inches.
Volume can also be described using units of capacity such as millilitres, litres, pints or gallons.
What is a volume formula?
Download our free volume formula poster to focus your revision!
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How to use volume formula
In order to use volume formula:
1 Write down the formula.
2 Substitute the values into the formula.
3 Complete the calculation.
4 Write the answer, including the units.
Explain how to use volume formula
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Volume worksheet (includes volume formula)
Get your free volume formula worksheet of 20+ volume questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.
DOWNLOAD FREE
Related lessons on how to calculate volume
Volume formula is part of our series of lessons to support revision on how to calculate volume and 3D shapes. You may find it helpful
to start with the main 3D shapes lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on
individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:
3D shapes
How to calculate volume
Triangular prism
Sphere
Hemisphere shape
Cone
Cylinder
Pyramid
Volume formula examples
Example 1: volume of a cylinder
Calculate the volume of the cylinder below.
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1 Write down the formula.
The 3D shape is a cylinder. The formula you need to use is
Volume = πr2 h.
2 Substitute the values into the formula.
We need to calculate the area of a circle (the circular base) and then multiply it by the height of the shape.
The values you need to substitute into the formula are the radius of the base (r = 5) and the height of the shape (h = 13).
Volume = πr2 h
= π × 52 × 13
3 Complete the calculation.
V = 325π = 1021.107 …
4 Write the answer, including the units.
The dimensions of the cylinder were given in centimetres, so the volume (the amount of three-dimensional space inside the shape) will
be in cubic centimetres (cm3 ).
V = 1021 cm3 (to the nearest integer).
Example 2: volume of a sphere
Calculate the volume of a sphere with diameter 9 mm.
1 Write down the formula.
Show step
2 Substitute the values into the formula.
Show step
3 Complete the calculation.
Show step
4 Write the answer, including the units.
Show step
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Example 3: missing dimension
The volume of the cuboid is 2016 cm3 .
Calculate the value of x.
1 Write down the formula.
Show step
2 Substitute the values into the formula.
Show step
3 Complete the calculation.
Show step
4 Write the answer, including the units.
Show step
Example 4: missing dimension
The volume of the square pyramid is cuboid is 66 000 cm3 .
Calculate the height of the pyramid.
1 Write down the formula.
Show step
2 Substitute the values into the formula.
Show step
3 Complete the calculation.
Show step
4 Write the answer, including the units.
Show step
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Example 5: volume of a compound shape
This shape is made from a cuboid and a square based pyramid. Calculate the volume of the 3D shape.
1 Write down the formula.
Show step
2 Substitute the values into the formula.
Show step
3 Complete the calculation.
Show step
4 Write the answer, including the units.
Show step
Example 6: volume of a compound shape
This shape is made from a cylinder and a cone. Calculate the volume of the 3D shape.
1 Write down the formula.
Show step
2 Substitute the values into the formula.
Show step
3 Complete the calculation.
Show step
4 Write the answer, including the units.
Show step
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Common misconceptions
Missing/incorrect units
You should always include units in your answer.
Volume is measured in cubic units (for example, mm3 , cm3 , m3 ).
Calculating with different units
You need to make sure all measurements are in the same units before calculating the volume. (For example, you can’t have some
measurements in centimetres and some in metres).
Make sure you get the correct formula
Be careful to make sure you use the correct formula for the volume of the three-dimensional shape. Volume formulas can be easily
confused with each other and with formulas for calculating the surface area of a three-dimensional object.
Don’t round off too early
It is important to not round decimals until the end of the calculation. Rounding too early can result in an inaccurate answer.
Leave your answer in the correct form
It is important to leave your answer in terms of π if asked to.
Practice volume formula questions
1. Calculate the volume.
471 cm3
157 cm3
565 cm3
188 cm3
2. Calculate the volume of this pyramid.
240 cm3
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200 cm3
96 cm3
80 cm3
3. The volume of this 720 mm3 . Calculate the length of the missing side.
16 mm
16 cm
15 mm
15 cm
4. The volume of a cylinder is 160π cm3 . The height of the cylinder is 6.4 cm. Find the radius of the cylinder.
6 cm
5 cm
7 cm
4 cm
5. Calculate the volume of the shape below.
1150 cm3
1400 cm3
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1200 cm3
2600 cm3
6. Calculate the volume of the shape below. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.
516π cm3
660π cm3
684π cm3
1116π cm3
Volume formula GCSE questions
1. Shown below is a prism. Show answer
The cross-sectional area is 16 cm2 .
The prism has length 11 cm.
Find the volume of the prism.
Include the units.
(3 marks)
2. (a) Shown below is a cuboid. Show answer
The dimensions of the cuboid are 1.2 m, 80 cm and 55 cm.
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Find the volume of the cuboid.
Give your answer in cubic metres.
(b) The cuboid is filled with water.
You are given that 1 m3 = 1000 litres.
Calculate the volume of water needed to fill the cuboid.
Give your answer in litres.
(5 marks)
3. (a) The volume of a cylinder is 1350 cm3 . Show answer
The radius of the cylinder is 6.8 cm.
Calculate the height of the cylinder.
Give your answer to 3 significant figures.
(b) The cylinder is made from pine wood.
Pine wood has a density of 373 kg/m3 .
mass
Given that Density = volume .
Calculate the mass of the cylinder.
Give your answer in kilograms.
(3 marks)
4. The diagram shows a hollow pipe. It is made from a cylinder with diameter 10 m and height Show answer
16 m, with a cylindrical hole of diameter 8 m and height 16 m.
Work out the volume of the hollow pipe.
Leave your answer in terms of π. Include the units.
(5 marks)
5. The volume of a sphere is 3050 mm3 . Show answer
Calculate the diameter of the sphere.
Give your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
(4 marks)
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Learning checklist
You have now learned how to:
Use a volume formula to calculate the volume of a 3D shape
Use a volume formula to find a missing dimension of a shape given its volume
Solve problems involving volume using a volume formula
The next lessons are
Angles in parallel lines
Prism shape
Cuboid
Still stuck?
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In order to access this I need to be confident with:
3D shapes
Area of polygons
Substitution
Solving equations
Rearranging formulae
Changing the subject of a formula
Rounding decimals
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Significant figures
This topic is relevant for:
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