Math July 13, 2026 · 8 Min Read

Cone Volume Calculator – Guide & Formulas

Calculate the volume, slant height, and surface area of a right circular cone. Features complete formula breakdowns and step computations.

Determine the three-dimensional capacity of a cone. Perfect for measuring funnel capacities, conical pile volumes, and ice cream cones.

Key Takeaway

Use the free Cone Volume Calculator to calculate the volume, slant height, and surface area of a right circular cone. features complete formula breakdowns and step computations. Get instant results with step-by-step explanations.

How to Use the Cone Volume Calculator

  1. Enter the base radius or diameter of the cone.
  2. Enter the vertical height of the cone.
  3. Check the computed volume, slant height, and surface areas.

The Formula

V = (1/3) * pi * r^2 * h | Slant height s = sqrt(r^2 + h^2)

Variable Definitions

  • V: Volume of the cone
  • r: Radius of the circular base
  • h: Vertical height of the cone
  • s: Slant height (distance from outer rim to apex)

Volume of a Sand Pile

A conical pile of road sand has a base radius of 6 feet and a height of 8 feet. Find its total sand volume.

  1. Step 1: Input radius r = 6 ft and height h = 8 ft.
  2. Step 2: Square the radius: 6² = 36.
  3. Step 3: Apply the volume formula: (1/3) * π * 36 * 8 = 96π ≈ 301.59 cubic feet.
  4. Step 4: The sand pile volume is approximately 301.59 cubic feet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a cone's volume exactly 1/3 of a cylinder's?

For a cone and cylinder with the same base radius and height, calculus proves that the cone contains exactly one-third of the space. Visualizing three cones filling one cylinder helps grasp this relationship.

What is the slant height of a cone?

Slant height is the length of a straight line along the outer surface from the base perimeter up to the top apex point, solved using the Pythagorean theorem.

How do you calculate a cone's lateral surface area?

The lateral surface area is calculated with the formula A = π * r * s, where s is the slant height.