Prism Volume
Calculator
Results
- Volume
- 240
Results
| Volume | 240 |
formula-map diagram
- Volume
- 240
Formula map
Formula
V = A_base × h= 240
Note
Simplified model: these are the exact results of the stated idealised geometric formulas, assuming perfect shapes, exact inputs and consistent units. Real measurements carry error, and results such as the cyclic-quadrilateral area only hold when the figure truly satisfies the stated condition. Verify independently before relying on these figures.
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See all →Frequently asked questions
What is the general formula for the volume of a prism?+
Volume equals base area times height: V = B × h, where B is the area of the (identical) base shape at either end, and h is the perpendicular distance between the two bases. This works for any prism, whatever polygon forms its base.
Why does this calculator ask for base area rather than base dimensions directly?+
By taking base area as a single input, the same formula handles any base shape, triangular, hexagonal, or irregular, without needing a separate formula for each. You calculate the base's area first using the appropriate polygon formula, then simply multiply by height here.
What height should I use for an oblique prism, where the sides aren't perpendicular to the base?+
Always use the perpendicular (vertical) distance between the two parallel base planes, not the length of a slanted lateral edge. This is a common error: the slant length of an oblique prism's edge is always longer than the true perpendicular height needed for the formula.
Why is a cylinder essentially treated as a prism in volume calculations?+
A cylinder is a prism whose base happens to be a circle, so the same V = B × h logic applies, just with B = πr² (a circle's area) substituted in. This is why the general prism formula and the cylinder volume formula are conceptually identical, differing only in the base-area formula used.
Does the base shape need to be regular (equal sides and angles) for this formula to work?+
No, the formula works for any base shape, regular or irregular, convex or concave, as long as you can correctly compute that shape's area. The only geometric requirement is that the two bases are congruent, parallel, and connected by consistent lateral edges.