How it’s calculated
A cone holds exactly one third of the cylinder with the same base and height.
Example: r = 3 ft, h = 4 ft gives V = (1/3) × π × 9 × 4 = 12π ≈ 37.70 ft³, l = 5 ft, lateral area 15π ≈ 47.12 ft² and total area 24π ≈ 75.40 ft².
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for the volume of a cone?
V = ⅓πr²h, one third of a cylinder with the same base and height.
How do I estimate a pile of sand or gravel?
A loose pile is roughly a cone. Measure around the base to get the circumference (r = C ÷ 2π) and the pile height, then use this calculator.
What is slant height?
The distance from the tip down the side to the edge of the base: √(r² + h²).
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Sources
- Prealgebra 2e, 9.6 Solve Geometry Applications: Volume and Surface Area — OpenStax
- Cone — Wolfram MathWorld
Formulas are taken from the free public references above. Results are provided “as is” for informational and educational purposes only. See our disclaimer.
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