Volume of a Sphere
Calculate the volume of a sphere using V = (4/3)πr³.
Find how much space a ball or globe occupies with step-by-step examples.
The Formula
V = (4/3) × π × r³
This formula calculates the volume (the amount of space inside) a sphere.
A sphere is a perfectly round 3D shape — like a ball.
Variables
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| V | Volume of the sphere |
| π | Pi, approximately 3.14159 |
| r | Radius of the sphere |
Example 1
Find the volume of a sphere with radius 6 cm
V = (4/3) × π × r³ = (4/3) × π × 6³
V = (4/3) × π × 216
V = 288 × π
V ≈ 904.78 cm³
Example 2
A basketball has a diameter of 24 cm. What is its volume?
Diameter = 24 cm, so radius = 24 / 2 = 12 cm
V = (4/3) × π × 12³ = (4/3) × π × 1,728
V = 2,304 × π
V ≈ 7,238.23 cm³
When to Use It
Use the volume of a sphere formula when:
- Calculating how much liquid a spherical tank can hold
- Finding the volume of balls, globes, or bubbles
- Comparing volumes of different sized spheres
- Working with 3D models in science or engineering