How to Calculate Cubic Inches

Last Updated: October 3, 2022 References

A cubic inch is a measure of volume that is equal to that of a cube measuring 1 inch (2.5 cm) on each side. An object's volume in cubic inches is, thus, the same as that of a certain number of these hypothetical cubes. There are a number of ways to calculate an object's volume in cubic inches, but in the simplest cases, as with 3-dimensional rectangular prisms (boxes), the volume is simply length × width × depth when all measurements are in inches.^{[1]
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Cubic Inches Calculator

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Calculating the Volume of a Box in Cubic Inches

1
Measure the length, width, and depth of an object in inches. To calculate the volume of a rectangular space, all you need to know are the values of its dimensions in inches. You may need to physically measure the object or to convert to inches from a different set of units.^{[2]
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- To calculate the volume, you need to use the same unit (inches in our case) for all dimensions, otherwise you won't get the correct result.
- For example, if we wanted to find the volume of a refrigerator, we would find its length, width, and depth in inches. Let's say our fridge is 50 inches (127.0 cm) long, 25 inches (63.5 cm) wide, and 20 inches (50.8 cm) deep.
2
Write the length of your object. The first step in calculating a volume with this process is to write one of your dimensions down. You can multiply these dimensions in any order - for our purposes, let's write the length first.
- In our example, we would write 50 first, as our fridge is 50 inches (127.0 cm) long.
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3
Multiply the length by the width of your object. Next, multiply your first dimension by one of the others. Again, you can multiply your dimensions in any order, but, for our purposes, let's multiply the length by the width.^{[3]
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- In our example, we would multiply 50 × 25 - the width. 50 × 25 = 1250.
4
Multiply your answer by the depth of your object. Finally, multiply the answer you got by multiplying two of your object's dimensions by the remaining dimension. In our case, this means multiplying the product of our object's length and width by its depth.
- In our example, we would multiply 1250 × 20 - the depth. 1250 × 20 = 25,000.
5
Label your answer in cubic inches. You may know that your final answer refers to a volume in cubic inches, but another person may not. Be sure to use a proper label for your answer that specifies that the volume is in cubic inches.
- Acceptable labels include:
  - "Cubic Inches"
  - "Inches Cubed"
  - "Cu. In."
  - "In³"

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Calculating the Volumes of Other Shapes

1
Calculate the volume of a cube with L³. Cubes are rectangular prisms (boxes) in which every side length and angle is equal.^{[4]
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Research source} Thus, the volume of a cube can be written as length × width × depth = length × length × length = length³. To get your answer in cubic inches, ensure your length measurement is in inches.^{[5]
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2
Calculate the volume of a cylinder with v = hπr². Cylinders are smooth-sided objects with two circular faces of equal size. The formula v = hπr² where v = volume, h = height, and r = the cylinder's radius (the distance from the center of either of the circular faces to its edge) gives the volume of a cylinder.^{[6]
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Research source} Make sure your measurements for h and r are in inches.
3
Calculate the volume of a cone with v = (1/3)hπr². Cones are smooth-sided objects with a circular base that tapers to a point. The formula v = hπr²/3 where v = volume, h = height, and r = the radius of the circular base gives the volume of a cone.^{[7]
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Research source} As above, ensure your measurements for h and r are in inches.^{[8]
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4
Calculate the volume of a sphere with v = 4/3πr³. Spheres are perfectly round 3-d objects. The equation v = 4/3πr³ where v = volume and r = the radius of the sphere (the distance from its center to its edge) gives the volume of a sphere.^{[9]
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Research source} As before, make sure your measurement for r is in inches.

Community Q&A

Question

What would 200 cubic inches equal in a box: Length, width and depth?

Community Answer

The length x width x depth = the total cubic inches. Unless the object you are working with is a perfect cube (all sides are equal,) there is no way to tell with the length, width and depth are. If you are working with a perfect cube just take the square root of 200, then the square root of that (taking 2 square roots will undo the cube and give you the measurements.) In this case, each side will be just under 6 inches (6x6x6), more accurately 5.84 inches.
Question

How do I write km in volume?

Donagan

Top Answerer

You could express a volume in cubic kilometers (km³).
Question

How do I convert square inches into cubic inches?

Donagan

Top Answerer

If you have one side of a volume that's measured in square inches, you could multiply by a third dimension in inches to arrive at a volume in cubic inches.