Volumetric casts work like Raycast but use a shape.

SphereCast:

Physics.SphereCast(
    origin,
    radius,
    direction,
    out RaycastHit hit,
    distance,
    layerMask
);

BoxCast:

Physics.BoxCast(
    center,
    halfExtents,
    direction,
    out RaycastHit hit,
    rotation,
    distance,
    layerMask
);

SphereCast is often more robust than a thin ray for character checks.