Sheet 02 · Case volume
Case volume, in litres.
Enter the outside dimensions of a case in millimetres or inches. You get litres, cubic centimetres and cubic inches at once, plus an interior estimate if you give a wall thickness, and an isometric model that morphs to match.
- Sheet
- 02 / 06
- Input
- mm or in
- Output
- L, cm³, in³
- State
- This device
Dimensions
Drag the model sideways to turn it, or use the slider and arrow keys.
Computed values
| Quantity | Value | How it is worked out |
|---|---|---|
| External volume, litres | — | W × H × D in mm³, divided by 1,000,000 |
| External volume, cm³ | — | Litres × 1,000 |
| External volume, in³ | — | mm³ divided by 16,387.064 |
| Interior volume, litres | — | (W − 2t)(H − 2t)(D − 2t), t = wall thickness |
| Desk footprint | — | W × D |
| Cube-equivalent edge | — | Cube root of the external volume |
| Longest side | — | Largest of W, H, D |
| Longest to shortest | — | Aspect of the envelope |
How to use it
- Pick mm or inches. Switching units converts what you have already typed, so nothing is lost.
- Enter the outside width, height and depth of the case as the manufacturer lists them. If the maker quotes volume directly, treat that as a cross-check on your own numbers.
- Add a wall thickness only if you want an interior figure. It is subtracted from both sides of every axis.
- Watch the model and the spec rail. Both follow the numbers live, and the grid under the case is drawn in 100 mm squares so you can judge scale.
Use the Glass view to see all twelve edges at once, which makes it easier to tell which dimension is which when the case is very flat or very tall.
Assumptions and edge cases
The case is treated as a perfect box. Feet, handles, protruding ports and bulging panels all add to what a desk or bag must hold but not to the main volume, so decide whether you want the envelope with or without them and be consistent when comparing cases.
Interior volume is only an estimate. A real interior is interrupted by panels, drive cages and brackets, so it is best used to compare two layouts and not as a count of usable litres.
Sizes outside 10 to 2,000 mm (0.4 to 78.7 in) are rejected with a message, as are zero, negative and non-numeric entries. A decimal comma is accepted as a decimal point. If your wall thickness would eat the whole interior, the tool says so instead of showing a negative volume.
| 1 in | 25.4 mm |
|---|---|
| 1 L | 1,000 cm³ |
| 1 L | 61.0237 in³ |