Volume of a Rectangular Prism Formula
Geometry Formulas: Area, Volume, Perimeter
What is the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism?
Answer
Volume of a rectangular prism
V = a · b · h
Here a is the side (or base), b is the second side, h is the height, perpendicular to the base. The result comes out in cubic units.
Where the formula comes from
V = a · b · h
The base is a rectangle of area a·b, and the solid is that rectangle repeated to a height h. Base times height, the same rule as the cylinder — only the base is easier to draw.
Worked examples
Let a = 5, b = 4, h = 3. Then the volume of a rectangular prism = 60 cubic units.
Let a = 2.5, b = 6, h = 1.2. Then the volume of a rectangular prism = 18 cubic units.
The common mistake
Reporting the answer in square units. Three lengths multiplied give a cube: metres × metres × metres is m³, not m².
Other quantities: Rectangular prism
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See Also
- Square Footage Calculator - Width × length in feet to square feet
- Square Feet to Square Meters (Sq Ft to Sq M) - Convert Square Feet to Square Meters
- Square Meters to Square Feet (Sq M to Sq Ft) - Convert Square Meters to Square Feet
- Gravel Calculator - Area to cubic yards, tons and coverage
- Topsoil Calculator - Cubic yards, weight and coverage for any area
- Multiplication Facts - Any two numbers from 1 to 9, with the working shown
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Values from the Formula (b = 4, h = 3)
| If a = | Volume |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 cubic units |
| 2 | 24 cubic units |
| 3 | 36 cubic units |
| 4 | 48 cubic units |
| 5 | 60 cubic units |
| 10 | 120 cubic units |
Geometry Formulas: Area, Volume, Perimeter
These are the formulas for the area, perimeter, circumference, volume and surface area of the standard shapes — 31 of them. Each page shows not only the formula but where it comes from, what every letter stands for, two worked examples and the mistake that this particular shape invites. For example, it can help you find out what is the formula for the volume of a rectangular prism? (The answer is: V = a · b · h). Pick the pair — "Area of a circle", for instance — and hit the "Find out" button.
Geometry Formulas: Area, Volume, Perimeter