Volume vs. Amount: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 9, 2023
"Volume" refers to the quantity of three-dimensional space occupied, often related to liquids, while "amount" is a general term for the quantity of something, measurable or not.
Difference Between Volume and Amount
In everyday language, "volume" and "amount" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. "Volume" typically describes the space that a substance or object occupies, especially in the realm of liquids and gases. It's a measurable attribute, often expressed in liters, gallons, or cubic meters. For instance, when speaking of water in a tank or air in a balloon, "volume" is the appropriate term. On the contrary, "amount" is a more generic term that can refer to the quantity of both tangible and intangible items. You might discuss the amount of sugar in a recipe or the amount of love one feels.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Delving deeper into "volume," it's evident that it's not just confined to the realm of science. It's also used in the world of literature and audio. When discussing a multi-part book series, each individual book might be referred to as a "volume." Similarly, in the audio realm, "volume" pertains to the loudness of sound. Conversely, "amount" doesn't dive into such specializations. It remains a broad term that denotes quantity or total of something, irrespective of its nature.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
In mathematics and science, "volume" has a strict definition. For solids, it's the space they occupy; for liquids, it's the capacity they take up in a container. It's precise, and there are tools, like graduated cylinders or measuring jugs, to measure volume. "Amount," in science, especially in chemistry, can be used to describe the quantity of a substance, often in moles or mass. It doesn't always have a spatial component attached to it.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
To sum it up, while both "volume" and "amount" deal with quantities, their applications differ. "Volume" has a spatial aspect and often pertains to the three-dimensional space something occupies. "Amount," being versatile, can describe anything from the quantity of sugar to abstract concepts like emotions, without necessarily referencing physical space.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Volume vs. Amount Comparison Chart
Nature
Spatial, occupies three-dimensional space
General term denoting quantity
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Common Usage
Liquids, gases, sound loudness, individual books in a series
Quantity of tangible and intangible items
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Measurement
Liters, gallons, cubic meters, decibels (for sound)
Can be immeasurable or measured in various units
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Specialized Fields
Science (physics, chemistry), audio, literature
General use in various fields
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Abstract vs. Concrete
More concrete with spatial component
Can be both abstract (amount of happiness) and concrete (amount of sand)
Levi
Sep 09, 2023
Volume vs. Amount Definitions
◉Volume
A single book in a series or collection.
He just bought the third volume of that novel series.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
◉Amount
The quantity of a specific substance.
The amount of sugar in this dessert is too high.
Kaitlyn
Sep 09, 2023
◉Volume
A measure of the size or space inside an object or container.
The suitcase has a large volume, suitable for long trips.
Leo
Sep 09, 2023
◉Amount
The quantity or total of something.
The amount of apples in the basket is impressive.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
◉Volume
One of the books of a work printed and bound in more than one book.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
A series of issues of a periodical, usually covering one calendar year.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
A unit of written material assembled together and cataloged in a library.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
The amount of space occupied by a three-dimensional object or region of space, expressed in cubic units.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
The capacity of such a region or of a specified container, expressed in cubic units.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
Amount; quantity:a low volume of business; a considerable volume of lumber.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
To add up in number or quantity
The purchases amounted to 50 dollars.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
To add up in import or effect
That plan will never amount to anything.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
To be equivalent or tantamount
accusations that amount to an indictment.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
The total, aggregate or sum of material not applicable to discrete numbers or units or items in standard English.
The amount of atmospheric pollution threatens a health crisis.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
A three-dimensional measure of space that comprises a length, a width and a height. It is measured in units of cubic centimeters in metric, cubic inches or cubic feet in English measurement.
The room is 9x12x8, so its volume is 864 cubic feet.
The proper products can improve your hair's volume.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
A quantity or volume.
Pour a small amount of water into the dish.
The dogs need different amounts of food.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
Strength of sound; loudness.
Please turn down the volume on the stereo.
Volume can be measured in decibels.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
The issues of a periodical over a period of one year.
I looked at this week's copy of the magazine. It was volume 23, issue 45.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
To be the same as or equivalent to.
He was a pretty good student, but never amounted to much professionally.
His response amounted to gross insubordination
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
A single book of a publication issued in multi-book format, such as an encyclopedia.
The letter "G" was found in volume 4.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
To rise or reach by an accumulation of particular sums or quantities; to come (to) in the aggregate or whole; - with to or unto.
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May 03, 2023
◉Amount
To rise, reach, or extend in effect, substance, or influence; to be equivalent; to come practically (to); as, the testimony amounts to very little.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
(economics) The total supply of money in circulation or, less frequently, total amount of credit extended, within a specified national market or worldwide.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
The sum total of two or more sums or quantities; the aggregate; the whole quantity; a totality; as, the amount of 7 and 9 is 16; the amount of a bill; the amount of this year's revenue.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
(computing) An accessible storage area with a single file system, typically resident on a single partition of a hard disk.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
The effect, substance, value, significance, or result; the sum; as, the amount of the testimony is this.
The whole amount of that enormous fame.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
(bodybuilding) The total of weight worked by a muscle in one training session, the weight of every single repetition summed up.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
how much of something is available;
an adequate amount of food for four people
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May 03, 2023
◉Amount
a quantity of money;
he borrowed a large sum
the amount he had in cash was insufficient
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
A roll; a scroll; a written document rolled up for keeping or for use, after the manner of the ancients.
The papyrus, and afterward the parchment, was joined together [by the ancients] to form one sheet, and then rolled upon a staff into a volume (volumen).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
Hence, a collection of printed sheets bound together, whether containing a single work, or a part of a work, or more than one work; a book; a tome; especially, that part of an extended work which is bound up together in one cover; as, a work in four volumes.
An odd volume of a set of books bears not the value of its proportion to the set.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
add up in number or quantity;
The bills amounted to $2,000
The bill came to $2,000
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May 03, 2023
◉Volume
Anything of a rounded or swelling form resembling a roll; a turn; a convolution; a coil.
So glides some trodden serpent on the grass,And long behind wounded volume trails.
Undulating billows rolling their silver volumes.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
develop into;
This idea will never amount to anything
nothing came of his grandiose plans
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
Dimensions; compass; space occupied, as measured by cubic units, that is, cubic inches, feet, yards, etc.; mass; bulk; as, the volume of an elephant's body; a volume of gas.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Amount
The degree or extent to which something is present.
The amount of enthusiasm he shows is contagious.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
◉Volume
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object;
the gas expanded to twice its original volume
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
the property of something that is great in magnitude;
it is cheaper to buy it in bulk
he received a mass of correspondence
the volume of exports
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
physical objects consisting of a number of pages bound together;
he used a large book as a doorstop
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
a publication that is one of a set of several similar publications;
the third volume was missing
he asked for the 1989 volume of the Annual Review
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
a relative amount;
mix one volume of the solution with ten volumes of water
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
the magnitude of sound (usually in a specified direction);
the kids played their music at full volume
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Volume
The quantity of three-dimensional space that a substance or shape occupies.
The bottle has a volume of 2 liters.
Kaitlyn
Sep 09, 2023
◉Volume
The magnitude or extent of something.
The volume of work increased this month.
Lucas
Sep 09, 2023
Volume vs. Amount Frequently Asked Questions
Can amount refer to intangible things?
Yes, amount can refer to both tangible items and abstract concepts.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Is volume always measured in liters or cubic meters?
Not always, it depends on the context; for sound, it might be in decibels.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Which term is used to describe the loudness of music?
Volume describes the loudness of sound.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Is every book in a series called an amount?
No, each individual book in a series is typically referred to as a "volume."
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 09, 2023
Is volume always a physical space measurement?
Mostly, but it can also refer to sound loudness or an individual book in a series.
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Can you use volume and amount interchangeably?
Sometimes in casual conversation, but they have distinct meanings.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
When discussing a substance in chemistry, which term is apt?
Both can be used; volume for the space a substance occupies, and amount for its quantity in moles or mass.
Olivia
Sep 09, 2023
Can you talk about the volume of happiness?
No, in that case, amount would be more appropriate, as in "amount of happiness."
Muazma Batool
Sep 09, 2023
Which term would you use for a liquid in a container?
Volume is the appropriate term for the space a liquid occupies in a container.
Levi
Sep 09, 2023
In a generic sense, which term is broader?
Amount is broader and can be applied to a wider range of scenarios than volume.
Jonathan
Sep 09, 2023
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