What Is a Rectangular Prism Volume Calculator?
A rectangular prism—also called a cuboid or rectangular box—is a three-dimensional shape with six rectangular faces. This calculator finds its volume, the amount of space it encloses, from three measurements: length, width, and height. It also reports the total surface area, useful when you need to know how much material covers the outside.
How to Use It
Enter the length, width, and height of your box using the same unit for all three (for example, all in centimeters or all in inches). Click calculate to see the volume in cubic units and the surface area in square units. If you measure in cm, the volume is in cm³; if you measure in feet, it is in ft³.
The Formula Explained
The volume formula is simply:
$$V = \text{Length} \times \text{Width} \times \text{Height}$$
Because all three faces meet at right angles, multiplying the three perpendicular dimensions gives the total cubic space. The surface area is found by adding the areas of all six faces: $$S = 2\left(\text{Length}\cdot\text{Width} + \text{Length}\cdot\text{Height} + \text{Width}\cdot\text{Height}\right)$$ where each rectangular pair appears twice.
Worked Example
Suppose a shipping box measures 5 cm long, 4 cm wide, and 3 cm tall. The volume is $$5 \times 4 \times 3 = 60 \text{ cm}^3$$ The surface area is $$2 \times (5\times4 + 5\times3 + 4\times3) = 2 \times (20 + 15 + 12) = 2 \times 47 = 94 \text{ cm}^2$$
FAQ
What units does the result use? Whatever unit you input. If lengths are in meters, volume is in cubic meters (m³) and surface area in square meters (m²).
Is a cube the same as a rectangular prism? Yes—a cube is a special rectangular prism where length, width, and height are all equal.
Can I use decimals? Absolutely. Enter values like 2.5 or 10.75 for precise measurements.
