When to use this calculator
A conical frustum models tapered buckets and truncated cones. Use interior dimensions for capacity.
Explore the volume & surface area calculators for other questions in this topic. For a related calculation, use the Cube Space Diagonal Calculator: Find the longest corner-to-corner distance within a cube.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Conical Frustum Volume: a worked example
The values below are an illustrative example, not a recommendation. Replace them with measurements or assumptions that match your question.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Larger radius | 3 |
| Smaller radius | 1 |
| Perpendicular height | 6 |
| Result | 81.681409 cubic units |
- Check the input labels and enter the example values above.
- Apply the relationship: Volume = πh(R² + Rr + r²)/3.
- The result is 81.681409 cubic units, rounded for display.
How to interpret your result
The smaller radius cannot exceed the larger radius.
Volume and surface area have different units and answer different questions. Use internal dimensions for capacity. A closed-solid surface area includes bases and lids unless the calculator explicitly describes an open shape.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use internal or outside measurements?
Use internal measurements for capacity and outside measurements for covering the exterior. Match the formula to the part being measured.
When is the conical frustum volume calculator useful?
A conical frustum models tapered buckets and truncated cones. Use interior dimensions for capacity.
How do I use the conical frustum volume calculator?
Enter larger radius, smaller radius, perpendicular height. The result updates automatically. Use the units shown beside each input; the example values illustrate the method.
Which formula does this calculator use?
Volume = πh(R² + Rr + r²)/3.
What should I check before using the result?
The smaller radius cannot exceed the larger radius.
How are results rounded?
Scalar numbers display up to six decimal places, with scientific notation for very large or small values. Text, fraction, date and schedule outputs use the format described on the tool. Intermediate calculations use JavaScript floating-point arithmetic. Keep sensible precision for your measurements.
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