Summary

To calculate the volume of a cone, you can use the PI function together with the exponent operator (^). In the example shown, the formula in D5, copied down, is:

=1/3*PI()*B5^2*C5

The formula returns the volume of a cone with the radius given in column B and the height given in column C. Units are indicated generically with "u", and the resulting volume is units cubed (u3).

Generic formula

=1/3*PI()*r^2*h

Explanation 

In geometry, the formula for calculating the volume of a cone is: 

 

The formula for calculating the volume of a cone is based on the formula for calculating the volume of a pyramid. Since the base of a cone is a circular, the formula for area of a circle is included.

The Greek letter π ("pi") represents the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. In Excel, π is represented in a formula with the PI function, which returns the number 3.14159265358979, accurate to 15 digits:

=PI() // returns 3.14159265358979

To square a number in Excel, you can use the exponentiation operator (^):

=A1^2

Or, you can use the POWER function:

=POWER(A1,2)

Rewriting the formula for volume of a cone with Excel's math operators, we get:

=1/3*PI()*B5^2*C5

Or, with the POWER function:

=1/3*PI()*POWER(B5,2)*C5

The result is the same for both formulas. Following Excel's order of operations, exponentiation will occur before multiplication.

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Hi - I'm Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.

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