Cube vs. Cuboid: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 20, 2023
A cube is a 3D shape with six equal square faces, while a cuboid is a 3D shape with six rectangle faces, not necessarily all equal.
Key Differences
A cube is a special geometric shape, a regular solid with six equal, square faces. The square faces of a cube mean that all its dimensions—width, depth, and height—are equal. Each face meets the other at a 90-degree angle, and all the edges and vertices are congruent. A cuboid, also a solid, has six faces like a cube, but unlike a cube, the faces of a cuboid are rectangles, and its dimensions are not necessarily the same. Therefore, while all cubes are cuboids, not all cuboids are cubes.
In geometry, a cube is recognized as a regular solid because of the congruence of its faces, edges, and angles, which means it’s a highly symmetrical object. In contrast, a cuboid, with its rectangular faces, can have varying lengths for its edges, making it less symmetrical than a cube. Both cube and cuboid belong to the family of geometric shapes known as polyhedrons, which are solid figures with flat polygonal faces.
A cube is often seen as a special case of several types of geometric shapes, including the square (a cube in two dimensions) and the cuboid. Its regularity and symmetry make it applicable in various areas, including mathematics, engineering, and art. A cuboid, with its greater variability in shape due to the potential for different length, width, and height, is also applicable across various fields, though it offers more flexibility in design and structure.
When calculating volume, a cube's measurement is straightforward due to its symmetrical properties: volume equals side length cubed. For a cuboid, the volume is calculated by multiplying its length, width, and height, each of which can be different, offering a wider range of possible volumes than a cube. This makes cuboids more common in real-world applications, where uniformity in all dimensions is not always practical.
Finally, a cube's perfect symmetry often makes it a symbol of uniformity and regularity, used in various symbolic and practical contexts. A cuboid, with its varied dimensions, is often used in contexts that require or depict stability but not perfect symmetry, like building blocks or cargo boxes.
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Comparison Chart
Faces
Six equal squares
Six rectangles (not all equal)
Symmetry
Highly symmetrical
Less symmetrical
Dimensions
All sides are equal
Sides can have different lengths
Volume Calculation
Side length cubed
Length x Width x Height
Real-world Representation
Often represents uniformity and regularity
More common in everyday objects and structures
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Cube and Cuboid Definitions
Cube
A cube is a solid object where all the faces are congruent squares.
He cut the cheese into small cubes.
Cuboid
A cuboid refers to a geometric solid with opposite faces equal and parallel.
The room is shaped like a cuboid, with the ceiling parallel to the floor.
Cube
A cube is a regular solid with all edges and vertices congruent.
The ice cube tray produced perfect cubes.
Cuboid
A cuboid is a solid figure with every face a rectangle and three pairs of parallel, congruent faces.
Bricks are often shaped as cuboids.
Cube
(Mathematics) A regular solid having six congruent square faces.
Cuboid
A cuboid is a prism with rectangular bases.
The building block is a cuboid with different lengths and widths.
Cube
Something having the general shape of a cube
A cube of sugar.
Cuboid
A cuboid, in geometry, is any three-dimensional figure with straight edges and flat rectangular sides.
The children's toy set included several colorful cuboids.
Cube
A cubicle, used for work or study.
Cuboid
A cuboid is a three-dimensional shape with six faces that are rectangles.
The shipping box is a large cuboid.
Cube
(Mathematics) The third power of a number or quantity.
Cuboid
Having the approximate shape of a cube.
Cube
Cubes(Slang) Cubic inches. Used especially of an internal combustion engine.
Cuboid
(Anatomy) A tarsal bone on the outer side of the foot in front of the calcaneus and behind the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones.
Cube
(Mathematics) To raise (a quantity or number) to the third power.
Cuboid
(Mathematics) A rectangular parallelepiped.
Cube
To determine the cubic contents of.
Cuboid
Of the shape of a cube.
Cube
To form or cut into cubes
The cook cubed some potatoes.
Cuboid
(anatomy) The cuboid bone.
Cube
To tenderize (meat) by breaking the fibers with superficial cuts in a pattern of squares.
Cuboid
(geometry) A parallelepiped having six rectangular faces.
Cube
(geometry) A regular polyhedron having six identical square faces.
Cuboid
Cube-shaped, or nearly so; as, the cuboid bone of the foot.
Cube
Any object more or less in the form of a cube.
A sugar cube
A stock cube
Cuboid
A rectangular parallelepiped
Cube
(mathematics) The third power of a number, value, term or expression.
The cube of 2 is 8
Cuboid
Shaped like a cube
Cube
(computing) A data structure consisting of a three-dimensional array; a data cube
Cube
A Rubik's cube style puzzle, not necessarily in the shape of a cube
Cube
A cubicle, especially one of those found in offices.
My co-worker annoys me by throwing things over the walls of my cube.
Cube
To raise to the third power; to determine the result of multiplying by itself twice.
Three cubed can be written as 33, and equals twenty-seven.
Cube
(transitive) To form into the shape of a cube.
Cube
(transitive) To cut into cubes.
Cube the ham right after adding the curry to the rice.
Cube
(intransitive) To use a Rubik's cube.
He likes to cube now and then.
Cube
A regular solid body, with six equal square sides.
Cube
The product obtained by taking a number or quantity three times as a factor; as, 4x4=16, and 16x4=64, the cube of 4.
Cube
To raise to the third power; to obtain the cube of.
Cube
A three-dimensional shape with six square or rectangular sides
Cube
A hexahedron with six equal squares as faces
Cube
The product of three equal terms
Cube
Any of several tropical American woody plants of the genus Lonchocarpus whose roots are used locally as a fish poison and commercially as a source of rotenone
Cube
A block in the (approximate) shape of a cube
Cube
Raise to the third power
Cube
Cut into cubes;
Cube the cheese
Cube
A cube is a three-dimensional shape with six equal, square faces.
The dice for the board game is a perfect cube.
Cube
A cube, in mathematics, is the result of a number multiplied by itself twice.
The cube of 3 is 27.
Cube
A cube represents a unit of measure in volume, equivalent to the length of one side raised to the third power.
The volume of this container is measured in cubic feet.
FAQs
Can a cuboid have square faces?
Yes, but not all six faces are squares, unless it's a cube.
Are the volumes of a cube and a cuboid calculated the same way?
No, a cube's volume is side cubed, while a cuboid's is length x width x height.
Do both a cube and a cuboid have six faces?
Yes, but a cube’s faces are all squares, while a cuboid’s are rectangles.
In geometry, does a cube have more symmetry than a cuboid?
Yes, due to all dimensions and angles being equal.
Is a cube also a cuboid?
Yes, a cube is a special case of a cuboid.
What makes a cube different from other prisms?
All sides, edges, and angles of a cube are equal.
Do real-world applications favor cubes or cuboids?
Cuboids are more common due to the variability in dimensions.
Is a square a two-dimensional version of a cube?
Yes, a square shares the cube's property of equal sides.
How many edges does a cube have compared to a cuboid?
Both have 12 edges, but a cube’s are all the same length.
Are all faces of a cube the same?
Yes, all six faces of a cube are equal squares.
Is a cube considered a regular shape in geometry?
Yes, because all faces are congruent squares.
What's the primary distinction between a cube and a cuboid?
A cube has all equal sides, while a cuboid has varying lengths for sides.
Can a cuboid have all sides of equal length?
If it does, it is actually referred to as a cube.
Is it possible for a cube and a cuboid to have the same volume?
Yes, if the dimensions of the cuboid and the side of the cube are proportionate.
Are the faces of a cuboid always equal?
No, the faces are rectangular but not always equal.
Are cubes used in specific fields due to their symmetry?
Yes, fields like mathematics, art, and engineering.
Can the term 'rectangular prism' be used interchangeably with 'cuboid'?
Yes, they are synonyms in geometry.
Are the angles within a cube and a cuboid the same?
Both have right angles at their corners.
Can the shape of a cuboid vary?
Yes, the length, width, and height can differ.
Are all cuboids cubes?
No, only if all six faces are equal squares.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
