How it works
Volume = ⅓ × π × radius² × heightone third of the matching cylinder
- radius
- of the circular base
- height
- vertical distance from base to tip
- π
- pi, about 3.14159
Use the vertical height, not the slant height along the side. If you only have the slant, you would first find the vertical height with the Pythagorean theorem.
Frequently asked questions
What is the volume of a cone with radius 5 and height 10?
About 261.8 cubic units, a third of the matching cylinder.
What is the formula for a cone?
A third of pi times the radius squared times the height.
Why is a cone a third of a cylinder?
Three cones of the same base and height fill exactly one cylinder, a classic geometry result.
Is it the slant height or the vertical height?
The vertical height, measured straight from the base to the point.