Volume table is defined as a table showing for a given species the average contents of trees, logs or sawn timber for one or more given dimensions. The given dimensions may be:
a)       d.b.h. alone
b)       d.b.h. and height
c)       d.b.h., height and some measure of form or taper.
The main objective of the volume table is to estimate the volume of average standing trees of known dimensions.

On the basis of application, volume tables are classified as follows:
1.        General Volume Table (GVT): These tables are usually based on two variables named diameter at breast height (dbh) and total tree height. These are based on the average volume of trees growing over a large geographical area.
Uses:
v      To derive local volume table.
v      To estimate the volume of trees in the form of standard timber.

2.        Local Volume Table (LVT): These tables are generally based on one independent variable i.e. dbh. These tables are derived only from restricted locality (local area).
Uses:
v      To estimate the volume of growing stand.
v      To make confidential volume of coupe of component.