How many litres fit in a rectangular container?
Volume comes from three dimensions, and usable capacity comes from internal dimensions rather than the outside of a container.
Cuboid volume →Calculate the geometric capacity
A rectangular container with internal length 0.5 m, width 0.4 m and height 0.3 m has volume 0.06 m³. One cubic metre equals 1000 litres, so the geometric capacity is 60 litres. Enter all dimensions in metres in the cuboid tool. If your measurements are 50 cm, 40 cm and 30 cm, convert them first rather than typing them as metres.
Separate maximum shape from fill level
If the liquid depth is only 0.25 m, use that depth and obtain 0.5×0.4×0.25 = 0.05 m³, or 50 litres. Wall thickness, rounded corners, internal equipment and a required air gap can all reduce usable capacity. The calculator models a rectangular space with flat sides; it does not measure the container or automatically deduct those features.
Volume is not mass
A 60-litre capacity does not mean every material placed inside weighs 60 kg. Mass equals volume times density, and density depends on the material and conditions. Avoid using a generic water approximation for fuels, chemicals or granular solids. For a nonrectangular container use its appropriate geometry or manufacturer capacity information rather than forcing its widest dimensions into a cuboid model. The distinction between full internal height and actual fill depth is especially important when comparing advertised and usable capacity.
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