How Many Oceans Would It Take to Fill the Moon?

The moon has a volume of about 5.3 billion cubic miles (21.9 billion cubic km), and it would take 33 Pacific Oceans to fill the moon with water. It would take about 70 Atlantic Oceans to fill the moon, and it would take 83 Arctic Oceans. The Antarctic Ocean could theoretically fit into the moon an estimated 300 times, and it would take about 1,200 of the smallest ocean, the Indian Ocean, to fill the moon.

More about the size of the moon:

• The moon has 2% of the volume of Earth.


• During a supermoon, in which the moon is closer to earth due to the planet’s orbit, the moon is 30% brighter and appears 14% larger when seen from Earth than it normally does.


• The moon is smaller than Asia in terms of surface area; the moon is about 14.6 million square miles (38 million km²), and Asia is 17.2 million square miles (44.5 million km²).

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Earth's oceans would it take to fill the volume of the Moon?

According to NASA, the volume of the Moon is about 21.9 billion cubic kilometers. Given that the total volume of Earth's oceans is approximately 1.332 billion cubic kilometers, it would take roughly 16.5 times the volume of all Earth's oceans to fill the Moon.

Is the Moon's interior hollow or filled with material?

The Moon is not hollow; it has a solid interior composed of a crust, a mantle, and a core. Seismic data from moonquakes, collected by instruments placed during the Apollo missions, have provided evidence of this internal structure, which is similar to but simpler than Earth's.

Could we actually fill the Moon with water?

Practically, it is impossible to fill the Moon with water. The Moon's gravity is insufficient to hold an atmosphere, let alone a body of water. Moreover, water exposed to the vacuum of space on the Moon would either freeze or evaporate quickly due to the extreme temperature variations.

What is the significance of knowing the volume of the Moon?

Understanding the volume of the Moon helps scientists determine its density and composition, which are crucial for insights into its formation and evolution. This knowledge also aids in comparative planetology, enhancing our understanding of other celestial bodies in our solar system and beyond.

How does the Moon's volume compare to Earth's?

The Moon's volume is about 2% of Earth's volume. Specifically, while the Moon's volume is about 21.9 billion cubic kilometers, Earth's volume is much larger at approximately 1 trillion cubic kilometers. This stark difference highlights the Moon's relatively small size in comparison to Earth.

What methods do scientists use to calculate the volume of the Moon?

Scientists calculate the Moon's volume using its radius and applying the formula for the volume of a sphere (4/3 πr³). The radius is known from measurements taken by orbiting spacecraft and laser ranging experiments from Earth. These precise measurements allow for accurate calculations of the Moon's volume.