Square vs. Cube: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Square is a flat shape with four equal sides and right angles. Cube is a 3D object with six square faces, all sides equal, and all angles right angles.
Key Differences
A Square is a two-dimensional (2D) shape with equal sides and four right angles. A Cube, in contrast, is a three-dimensional (3D) object, with each of its six faces being a square.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
In mathematics, a Square represents an area calculation, where side length is squared. A Cube refers to a volume calculation, where the side length is raised to the third power.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Square is a fundamental shape in geometry, a special case of a rectangle. Cube is a solid figure in geometry, an extension of a square into three dimensions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Square can only be represented on a flat surface. In contrast, a Cube represents a physical object in space, with depth, width, and height.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Symbolically, a Square often represents order and stability. A Cube, due to its 3D nature, can symbolize solidity and practicality.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Dimensionality
2D shape with equal sides, right angles
3D object with six square faces
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Spatial Representation
Represented on a flat surface
Represents an object in space
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Square and Cube Definitions
Square
Right Angle
The carpenter checked the corner to ensure it was square.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Square
A T-shaped or L-shaped instrument for drawing or testing right angles.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(Mathematics) The product obtained when a number or quantity is multiplied by itself
49 is the square of 7.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cube
Cubes(Slang) Cubic inches. Used especially of an internal combustion engine.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Abbr. Sq. An open, usually four-sided area at the intersection of two or more streets, often planted with grass and trees for use as a park.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
A rectangular space enclosed by streets and occupied by buildings; a block.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
The flower bud of a cotton plant, with three bracts surrounding the unopened flower in a pyramidal structure.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cube
To tenderize (meat) by breaking the fibers with superficial cuts in a pattern of squares.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(Slang) A person who is regarded as dull, rigidly conventional, and out of touch with current trends.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cube
Any object more or less in the form of a cube.
A sugar cube
A stock cube
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cube
(mathematics) The third power of a number, value, term or expression.
The cube of 2 is 8
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
In alignment or flush
Put the paper square with the edge of the desk.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cube
(computing) A data structure consisting of a three-dimensional array; a data cube
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Having a specified length in each of two equal dimensions
A room that is 12 feet square.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cube
A cubicle, especially one of those found in offices.
My co-worker annoys me by throwing things over the walls of my cube.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(Nautical) Set at right angles to the mast and keel. Used of the yards of a square-rigged ship.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Approximately rectangular and equilateral in cross section
A square house.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Cube
(transitive) To cut into cubes.
Cube the ham right after adding the curry to the rice.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Having all accounts settled; even
I paid what I owed you, so we're square.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To test or adjust for conformity to a desired plane, straight line, or right angle.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To bring into conformity or agreement
She could not square the request with her principles.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To bring (oneself) into a better position or relation
He tried to square himself with his parents.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(Informal) To bribe or fix
A party in litigation that tried to square the judge.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(geometry) A polygon with four sides of equal length and four right angles; an equilateral rectangle; a regular quadrilateral.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
A cell in a grid.
You may not move a piece to a square already occupied by one of your own pieces.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
The front of a woman's dress over the bosom, usually worked or embroidered.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(North America) A dessert cut into rectangular pieces, or a piece of such a dessert.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(printing) A certain number of lines, forming a portion of a column, nearly square; used chiefly in reckoning the prices of advertisements in newspapers.
Column inch
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
An L- or T-shaped tool used to place objects or draw lines at right angles.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
An open space or park, often in the center of a town, not necessarily square in shape, often containing trees, seating and other features pleasing to the eye.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(mathematics) The product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself; the second power of a number, value, term or expression.
64 is the square of 8.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(military formation) A body of troops drawn up in a square formation.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
A socially conventional or conservative person; a person who has little or no interest in the latest fads or trends: still sometimes used in modern terminology.
Why do you always wear a tie? Don't be such a square!
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(British) The symbol # on a telephone; hash.
Enter your account number followed by a square.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(cricket) The central area of a cricket field, with one or more pitches of which only one is used at a time.
An ideal playing area is roughly circular in shape with a central area, the cricket square, measuring 27.44 metres by 27.44 metres and boundaries 45.75 metres from the sides of the square.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(real estate) A unit of measurement of area, equal to a 10 foot by 10 foot square, i.e. 100 square feet or roughly 9.3 square metres. Used in real estate for the size of a house or its rooms, though progressively being replaced by square metres in metric countries such as Australia.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(roofing) A unit used in measuring roof area equivalent to 100 square feet (9.29 m²) of roof area. The materials for roofing jobs are often billed by the square in the United States.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Senseid|en|square meal elliptically}} {{ellipsis of square meal
Even when times were tough, we got three squares a day.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(archaic) Exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct; regularity; rule.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(astrology) The position of planets distant ninety degrees from each other; a quadrate.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
A well-defined core of a human body, a flat section from the fundament to the thoracic diaphragm.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(of box-shaped objects such as buildings or metal frames) Forming right angles in all planes as intended; not rack or leaning.
The foundation has to be level and the framing has to be square.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(nautical) Forming right angles with the mast or the keel, and parallel to the horizon; said of the yards of a square-rigged vessel when they are so braced.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Used in the names of units of area formed by multiplying a unit of length by itself.
Square metre
Square mile
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Honest; straightforward; fair.
I'm just looking for a square deal on my car repair.
Square dealing
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Even; tied
To make or leave the accounts square
The sides were square at the end of the half.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Solid, decent, substantial.
It may be prison, but at least I'm getting three square meals a day.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Having a shape broad for the height, with angular rather than curving outlines.
A man of a square frame
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(transitive) To adjust so as to align with or place at a right angle to something else; in particular:
The casting was mounted on a milling machine so that its sides could be squared.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(nautical) To place at a right angle to the mast or keel.
To square the yards
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(rowing) To rotate the oars so that they are perpendicular to the water.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(ambitransitive) To resolve or reconcile; to suit or fit.
John can square this question up for us.
These results just don't square with what we expected.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(transitive) To adjust or adapt so as to bring into harmony with something.
I cannot square the results of the experiment with my hypothesis.
To square our actions by the opinions of others
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Of a value, term, or expression, to multiply by itself; to raise to the second power.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To draw, with a pair of compasses and a straightedge only, a square with the same area as.
Square the circle
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(obsolete) To go to opposite sides; to take an attitude of offense or defense, or of defiance; to quarrel.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To form with right angles and straight lines, or flat surfaces.
To square mason's work
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Hence, anything which is square, or nearly so
He bolted his food down his capacious throat in squares of three inches.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
An area of four sides, generally with houses on each side; sometimes, a solid block of houses; also, an open place or area for public use, as at the meeting or intersection of two or more streets.
The statue of Alexander VII. stands in the large square of the town.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
An instrument having at least one right angle and two or more straight edges, used to lay out or test square work. It is of several forms, as the T square, the carpenter's square, the try-square., etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
The product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself; thus, 64 is the square of 8, for 8
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct; regularity; rule.
They of Galatia [were] much more out of square.
I have not kept my square.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
A body of troops formed in a square, esp. one formed to resist a charge of cavalry; a squadron.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Fig.: The relation of harmony, or exact agreement; equality; level.
We live not on the square with such as these.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
The position of planets distant ninety degrees from each other; a quadrate.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
The front of a woman's dress over the bosom, usually worked or embroidered.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Having a shape broad for the height, with rectilineal and angular rather than curving outlines; as, a man of a square frame.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Exactly suitable or correspondent; true; just.
She's a most triumphant lady, if report be square to her.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Leaving nothing; hearty; vigorous.
By Heaven, square eaters.More meat, I say.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
At right angles with the mast or the keel, and parallel to the horizon; - said of the yards of a square-rigged vessel when they are so braced.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To form with right angles and straight lines, or flat surfaces; as, to square masons' work.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To adjust; to regulate; to mold; to shape; to fit; as, to square our actions by the opinions of others.
Square my trialTo my proportioned strength.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To make even, so as to leave no remainder or difference; to balance; as, to square accounts.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To hold a quartile position respecting.
The icy Goat and Crab that square the Scales.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To accord or agree exactly; to be consistent with; to conform or agree; to suit; to fit.
No works shall find acceptance . . .That square not truly with the Scripture plan.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
To go to opposite sides; to take an attitude of offense or defense, or of defiance; to quarrel.
Are you such foolsTo square for this?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
(geometry) a plane rectangle with four equal sides and four right angles; a four-sided regular polygon;
You can compute the area of a square if you know the length of its sides
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
The product of two equal terms;
Nine is the second power of three
Gravity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Any artifact having a shape similar to a plane geometric figure with four equal sides and four right angles;
A checkerboard has 64 squares
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
A hand tool consisting of two straight arms at right angles; used to construct or test right angles;
The carpenter who built this room must have lost his square
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Having four equal sides and four right angles or forming a right angle;
A square peg in a round hole
A square corner
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Characterized by honesty and fairness;
A square deal
Wanted to do the square thing
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Without evasion or compromise;
A square contradiction
He is not being as straightforward as it appears
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
In a straight direct way;
Looked him squarely in the eye
Ran square into me
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
With honesty and fairness;
Dealt squarely with his customers
Always treated me square
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
In a square shape;
A squarely cut piece of paper
Folded the sheet of paper square
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
Firmly and solidly;
Hit the ball squarely
The bat met the ball squarely
Planted his great bulk square before his enemy
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Square
2D Shape with Equal Sides
The quilt had a pattern of colorful squares.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Square
Something Rigid or Traditional
His views were considered very square.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 24, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can a cube be represented in 2D?
It can be represented but is inherently 3D.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
What does 'cubing a number' involve?
Multiplying the number by itself twice.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Is a square considered a regular polygon?
Yes, it's a type of regular polygon.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Is a square the same as a rectangle?
A square is a special type of rectangle.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Does a cube have a surface area?
Yes, it's the sum of the areas of its six faces.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
What are squares used for in real life?
In design, architecture, and mathematics.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Where are cubes commonly seen?
In architecture, games (dice), and mathematics.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Are the angles in a cube always right angles?
Yes, all angles in a cube are right angles.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 02, 2023
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.