Meanings
- The mathematical principle that, as a shape grows in size, its volume grows faster than its surface area. Specifically, when an object undergoes a proportional increase in size, its new surface area is proportional to the square of the multiplier and its new volume is proportional to the cube of the multiplier.
The square-cube law helps to explain why large mammals like elephants have a harder time cooling themselves than smaller ones like mice.
Synonyms: cube-square law
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe mathematical principle that, as a shape grows in size, its volume grows faster than its surface area. Specifically, when an object undergoes a proportional increase in size, its new surface area is proportional to the square of the multiplier and its new volume is proportional to the cube of the multiplier.
Cite this entry
square-cube law. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/square-cube%20law
“square-cube law.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/square-cube%20law. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “square-cube law,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/square-cube%20law.
Source: square-cube law on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.