Pyramid Volume Calculator
Enter the base length, base width and vertical height of a right pyramid. For a square pyramid, use the same value for length and width.
Result
- Lateral surface area
- 60 cm²
- Base area
- 36 cm²
- Slant height (faces along the length)
- 5 cm
- Slant height (faces along the width)
- 5 cm
Formula
- Volume = base length × base width × height ÷ 3
- Slant height = √(height² + (half the opposite base side)²)
- Surface area = base area + sum of the four triangular faces
How the Pyramid Volume Calculator works
A pyramid holds one third of the volume of the prism with the same base and height. This is true for any base shape, as long as the height is measured perpendicular to the base.
Each triangular face has a slant height measured from the middle of a base edge up to the apex. For a rectangular base there are two different slant heights.
Worked example
A square pyramid with a 6 cm base and a height of 4 cm has a volume of 6 × 6 × 4 ÷ 3 = 48 cm³. The slant height is √(4² + 3²) = 5 cm, so the four faces total 60 cm² and the whole surface is 96 cm².
Frequently asked questions
What is the volume of the Great Pyramid of Giza?
About 2.6 million cubic meters, using its original base of roughly 230.3 m and height of 146.6 m.
How is slant height different from height?
Height is the vertical distance from the base to the apex. Slant height runs along a face from the midpoint of a base edge to the apex.
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