Formulas, Varieties, and Practical Examples of Rectangular Prisms

A rectangular prism is a 3D cuboid shape. Just like how a triangular prism brings three interconnected lines to life in reality, a rectangular prism elevates the concept of two-dimensional rectangles by adding height into the mix, transforming it into a three-dimensional form.

Two Types of Rectangular Prisms

All rectangular prisms feature eight vertices connected by twelve edges that meet at right angles. Despite this common structure, there are various distinctions among these three-dimensional shapes.

Standard Right Rectangular Prism

Right rectangular prisms are the most prevalent, with real-world examples including buildings, shoe boxes, and virtually any other three-dimensional object resembling a four-sided fish tank.

Inclined Rectangular Prism

An inclined rectangular prism is a unique variation that enables us to depict parallelograms in three dimensions. These shapes closely resemble a standard right rectangular prism but are tilted off their axis, leaning sideways.

Rectangular Prism Formulas

Prisms have sides that rise straight from the base area and are topped with a flat top face, resembling a roof. The following formula variations can be applied to calculate both the volume and the surface area.

Volume of a Rectangular Prism

The volume of a rectangular prism can be calculated by multiplying its length, width, and height together:

After determining the volume of a 3D shape with rectangular bases and six faces, ensure that the result is expressed in cubic units to reflect the three-dimensional nature of the object (for example, in inches or centimeters).

Rectangular Prism Volume Calculator

Rectangular Prism Surface Area

Keep in mind that the total surface area covers all six faces of the prism. This involves calculating the lateral surface area of the sides, as well as adding the top and bottom faces. Mathematically, it can be expressed as:

Rectangular Prism Surface Area Calculator

9 Common Examples of Rectangular Prisms

Once you start recognizing the characteristics of rectangular prisms, you'll begin spotting them in many everyday items. Here are some common examples of rectangular prisms that you may encounter daily.