What is a truncated pyramid?
A pyramid with its top cut off by a plane parallel to the base.
Truncated Pyramid Calculator
Find the volume of a pyramid frustum given height and base areas A1 and A2.
Enter height and base areas
Provide h > 0 and positive base areas A1 and A2.
About this calculator
How to use Truncated Pyramid Calculator, plus the formulas and logic behind the results.
Tool description
A truncated pyramid (frustum) is the part between two parallel base planes after cutting the top off a pyramid.
How to use
- Enter the perpendicular height between bases.
- Enter both base areas.
- Select Calculate.
- Read the frustum volume.
Formulas & reference
V = (h/3) (A1 + A2 + √(A1 A2))
Frustum tips
- If A2 → 0, formula approaches (1/3)A1 h
- If A1 = A2, volume is average area × h
- Height is perpendicular distance
- Works for square or rectangular frusta via areas
Calculation logic
Applies the standard pyramid-frustum formula with positivity checks on h, A1, and A2.
Bases should be similar figures in the classical derivation; areas alone are sufficient for this formula.
Truncated Pyramid Calculator FAQ
Common questions about this calculator and how to use the results.
What is the volume formula?
V = (h/3)(A1 + A2 + √(A1 A2)).
Do the bases need the same shape?
Classically they are similar; you supply their areas.
What if one area is zero?
It reduces toward a full pyramid volume.
Must height be perpendicular?
Yes—use the distance between the parallel bases.
Is this the same as a cone frustum?
Related idea, but cone frustum uses radii instead of general areas.