Accurate　volumetric　error　model　is　the　basis　for　accuracy　design.　In　this　paper,　a　universal　model　for　volumetric　error　prediction　considering　tolerance　is　proposed.　Firstly,　geometric　error　parameters　are　obtained　by　analysing　the　motion　forms　of　key　components.　Secondly,　the　map　between　geometric　error　and　tolerance　is　developed　using　Fourier　function.　Subsequently,　the　volumetric　error　prediction　model　(VEPM)　is　established　based　on　key　component　tolerance.　The　model　was　applied　to　guide　the　development　of　machine　tools.　Finally,　model　validation　experiments　are　carried　out　with　two　configurations　of　machine　tools.　The　results　show　that,　for　the　horizontal　grinder,　the　predicted　values　for　+/-　45　degrees　diagonal　errors　are　0-2.7　mu　m　and　0-4.5　mu　m,　which　are　consistent　with　the　measured　average　values　of　0.03-2.33　mu　m　and　-　0.10-5.46　mu　m,　respectively.　Moreover,　the　predicted　and　measured　values　for　+45　degrees　diagonal　error　of　the　vertical　grinder　are　-　15.0-0　mu　m　and　-　15.07-0　mu　m,　respectively.　The　experimental　results　illustrate　the　VEPM　is　effective　and　universal.　The　model　has　the　potential　to　be　applied　to　the　design　and　development　of　machine　tools.