ModelCalcs.uk
Scale Volume Calculator — Cube Law Conversion
Convert real-world volumes to scale volumes and back. Volumes scale by the cube of the scale factor.
How We Calculate This
Volume scales by the cube of the linear scale factor.
Formulas
- Real to Scale: Scale volume = Real volume ÷ Scale³
- Scale to Real: Real volume = Scale volume × Scale³
Example: A real fuel tank of 2,000 litres at 1:48 scale:
2,000 ÷ 48³ = 2,000 ÷ 110,592 = 0.018 litres = 18 ml at model scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Volume is a three-dimensional measurement (length x width x height). When all three are reduced by the scale factor, volume reduces by the factor cubed. At 1:72, the volume factor is 72³ = 373,248.
It is useful for calculating resin quantities for casting scale containers, working out water effect volumes for scale ponds and rivers in dioramas, or understanding the relative capacity of scale vehicles.
A real 50m³ pool at 1:72 scale: 50,000,000 cm³ / 373,248 = 134 cm³ = 134 ml of resin. That is less than half a standard resin bottle, which is surprisingly little for what looks like a substantial water feature.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates. Always verify quantities before purchasing materials.