One app for all your study abroad needs
The mathematical terms “Volume” and “Capacity” are used a lot, and they seem to describe similar things. However, there is little difference between volume and capacity is volume is the entire space inside and outside the box, while Capacity refers to the amount of substance that a container can hold. This is the space usable for holding something, like a liquid or gas.
Understanding the difference between Volume and Capacity is important in everyday life situations, an easy way to understand the difference is to think about containers. The container itself has a volume, but its capacity is how much stuff it can hold.
Table of Contents
What is Volume?
Volume refers to the total amount of 3D space an object occupies. Volume is a measure of the amount of space occupied by a 3D (Three-dimensional) object. In simple terms, it’s how much “stuff” can fit inside the container which can be Solid, Liquid, or Gas. It is possible to find an object’s volume by multiplying its Length, Width, and Height.
Formula for Volume: VOLUME = Length x Width x Height
Here are some key points about Volume:
- It applies to 3D shapes only because Length and Width describe 2D space, while Volume adds depth to create a true 3D measurement.
- Volume is expressed in cubic units, such as cubic meters (m³), cubic centimeters (cm³), or cubic inches (in³).
- We can calculate the volume of different shapes using specific formulas.
What is Capacity?
Capacity refers to the amount of substances a container can hold. It’s essentially the usable space within a container, focusing on how much stuff you can put inside it. Unlike Volume, which can be applied to any 3D object, capacity only applies to hollow objects designed to hold something.
Capacity of Cylinder (filled with Water)
Here’s a breakdown of key points about capacity.
- The key aspect of capacity is its function as a container. We don’t talk about the capacity of a solid object, like a book, because it doesn’t hold anything inside.
- Capacity is typically measured in units related to the substance being held, like Liters (L) for liquids, gallons (gal) for larger volumes of liquids, or grams (g) for powders.
- The capacity of a container can be less than its volume.
Also Read: Difference Between Power and Exponent: Complete Details
What is the Difference Between Volume and Capacity?
Here is the table summarizing the key differences between Volume and Capacity.
| Aspect | Volume | Capacity |
| Definition | The amount of space occupied by an object. | The maximum amount an object can hold. |
| Units | Cubic Units (e.g, cubic meters, cubic feet) | Any appropriate unit (e.g., litres, gallons) |
| Measurement | Measured in three dimensions (length, width, height) | Typically measured in a single dimension |
| Representation | Represented as a 3D figure or solid | Represented as a container or vessel |
| Examples | The volume of a box, cylinder, or sphere | The capacity of a bottle, tank, or jar |
| Relationship | This can be directly measured or calculated using formulas | This can be inferred by measuring volume or by direct measurement |
| Application | Used in geometry, engineering, fluid dynamics | Commonly used in cooking, manufacturing, and packaging |
Difference Between Volume and Capacity Formulas
There are many formulas for Volume, depending on the specific 3D shape you’re dealing with. Here are some common ones.
Volume Formulas
| 3D Objects | Formula | Abbreviations |
| Cuboid | V = l × b × h | V = volume (cubic units)l = length (of base)b = width (of base)h = height |
| Cube | a³ | a = side of the cube |
| Cylinder | V = πr²h | π (pi) is a mathematical constant (approximately 3.14)r = radius (of the base)h = height |
| Sphere | V = (4/3)πr³ | r = radius |
| Cone | V = (1/3)πr²h | r = radius (of the base)h = height |
| Hemisphere (half of a sphere) | V = (2/3)πr³ | r = radius |
| Prism | V = Area of base x Height | – |
| Pyramid | V = (1/3)B × h | B = area of the base (can be a triangle, square, etc.)h = height |
Capacity Formula
Capacity is often measured in the same units as volume (liters, gallons, etc.), but it can be less than the volume due to the container’s shape or design. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for capacity it depends on the specific container.
Application of Difference Between Volume and Capacity in Real Life
Volume and capacity are both crucial concepts used in many everyday situations. Here are some examples of volume and capacity in real life.
- Following recipes often requires measuring specific volumes of ingredients, like cups of flour or liters of milk, to ensure the proper proportions and final product.
- Selecting a bucket with the appropriate volume helps you carry enough cleaning solution or water for the job without making it too heavy.
- Estimating the volume of a wall or room helps determine the amount of paint or building materials needed to cover the entire surface.
- The proper water ratio to cement powder is often based on volume measurements to ensure the concrete has the desired strength when cured.
- Considering the volume of the items you plan to store helps you choose containers with the right capacity to hold everything efficiently.
- Food labels often list the volume or weight of the contents, allowing you to compare product sizes and choose the best value.
- Airlines and other transportation services might have limitations on the volume or weight of luggage you can bring.
- Knowing the fuel tank capacity of your car helps you plan how far you can travel on a single fill-up.
Also Read: What is the Difference Between Density and Weight?
FAQ’s
For example, let’s say there is a tank that holds water. In this case, the volume is the space taken up by the tank and the water inside it, while the capacity is the amount of water that is needed to fill the tank.
The amount of liquid that a container can hold is called its capacity. Volume tells you how much space something takes up.
A thing’s volume is how much space it takes up, and its capacity is how much fluid it can hold.
RELATED POSTS
This was all about the “Difference between Volume and Capacity”. For more such informative blogs, check out our Study Material Section, you can learn more about us by visiting our Indian exams page.