Cuboid volume
A 4 by 3 by 2 cuboid has volume 24 cubic units.
Multiply the three dimensions.
Year 6
Calculate, estimate and compare volume of cubes and cuboids using standard units
Calculate and compare the volume of cubes and cuboids.
Lesson overview
Measurement
Volume measures how much three-dimensional space a shape takes up. For a cuboid, volume = length x width x height. The units are cubic units.
Compare volumes
A shape with more cubic units has the greater volume.
| Shape | Volume |
|---|---|
| 4 x 3 x 2 | 24 |
| 5 x 2 x 2 | 20 |
Compare the final cubic-unit totals.
Worked example
Find the volume of a cuboid measuring 6 cm by 4 cm by 3 cm.
| Length | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 3 |
- Multiply 6 by 4 to get 24.
- Multiply 24 by 3 to get 72.
- Use cubic units for volume.
- So the volume is 72 cubic centimetres.
Try it
Use all three dimensions and keep the units as cubic units.
Question 1
The volume of a 4 by 3 by 2 cuboid is:
Question 2
Which shape has the greater volume?
| Shape A | Shape B |
|---|---|
| 24 | 20 |
Question 3
A cuboid measuring 6 cm by 4 cm by 3 cm has volume:
Question 4
Volume is measured in:
cm
Question 5
A cube with side 3 cm has volume:
Common mistakes
Watch for these when working through the lesson.
- Using only two dimensions and finding area instead of volume.
- Forgetting that volume uses cubic units.
- Comparing dimensions instead of comparing the final volumes.
Related topics
These ideas fit closely with this lesson.
- Recognise when it is possible to use formulae for area and volume.
- Convert measures accurately.