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Cubic Foot Conversion Table
This comprehensive cubic foot conversion table shows how various units relate to cubic feet. Use this reference for quick conversions between cubic feet and other common volume units.
This cubic foot conversion reference table provides accurate conversion factors for both metric (SI) units and imperial units. All values are based on internationally recognized standards for maximum precision in scientific and engineering applications.
What is a Cubic Foot?
The cubic foot (symbol: ft³) is an imperial and US customary unit of volume, defined as the volume of a cube with sides of 1 foot (0.3048 meters) in length. One cubic foot equals approximately 28.3168 liters or 7.48052 US gallons. It is commonly used in the United States for measuring larger volumes of liquids and gases, as well as for calculating shipping volumes and storage capacity.
The cubic foot is part of the imperial system of measurement, which is still widely used in the United States despite the global trend toward metrication. Our cubic foot conversion tool helps you easily convert between cubic feet and other units. For example, 1 cubic foot equals 1728 cubic inches or about 0.0283 cubic meters.
What is the SI of Cubic Foot?
The cubic foot is not an SI unit. The SI derived unit for volume is the cubic meter (m³). However, the cubic foot is accepted for use with the SI system in some contexts. One cubic foot is approximately 0.0283168 cubic meters. For precise SI units conversion, you can use our conversion tools:
- Cubic Meter (m³) = 35.3147 cubic feet
- Cubic Centimeter (cm³) = 0.0000353147 cubic feet
- Liter (L) = 0.0353147 cubic feet
- Milliliter (mL) = 0.0000353147 cubic feet
What are Cubic Feet Used For?
Cubic feet are used in a wide range of applications, particularly in the United States and other countries that use the imperial system. For all volume and capacity conversions, cubic feet provide a convenient unit:
Construction & Real Estate
Measuring room volumes, building sizes, and HVAC system capacity. For example, a typical living room might be 1,500 cubic feet (approximately 42.5 cubic meters).
Shipping & Logistics
Calculating cargo space, container capacity, and freight volumes. For example, a standard 20-foot shipping container has approximately 1,170 cubic feet of storage space.
Appliances
Refrigerator, freezer, and oven capacity specifications. For example, a large refrigerator might have 25 cubic feet of storage space.
Water Management
Measuring water usage, tank capacities, and flow rates. For example, a residential water heater might hold 40-80 gallons (5.3-10.7 cubic feet) of water.
Etymology and History
The cubic foot is derived from the foot, which has a long history as a unit of measurement. The foot itself was originally based on the length of a human foot but was standardized in 1959 as exactly 0.3048 meters. The cubic foot naturally followed as the volume of a cube with each side measuring one foot.
Throughout history, the foot has had various definitions across different cultures and time periods. The modern definition of the foot, and by extension the cubic foot, is internationally recognized and precisely defined. This evolution reflects the standardization of measurement systems and the need for consistent units in volume conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the cubic foot used in the US?
The cubic foot is part of the imperial system that was historically used in the United Kingdom and subsequently adopted by the United States. Despite the global trend toward metrication, the US continues to use imperial units like the cubic foot in everyday life, particularly for measuring large volumes. This tradition persists in construction, shipping, and appliance specifications, making our cubic foot converter essential for accurate volume conversions.
How accurate is the cubic foot definition?
The cubic foot is precisely defined as the volume of a cube with 1-foot sides, where the foot is exactly 0.3048 meters. This makes the cubic foot exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters. Our volume conversion tools use this exact definition to ensure maximum accuracy in all cubic foot conversions, whether for scientific research or everyday applications.
What's the difference between cubic foot and foot?
A foot is a unit of length (1-dimensional measurement) equal to 12 inches or 0.3048 meters, while a cubic foot is a unit of volume (3-dimensional measurement). One cubic foot is the volume of a cube where each side measures one foot in length. For volume conversions, our cubic foot converter helps translate between this 3D measurement and other units like liters or gallons.
How do I convert cubic feet to other units?
Use our cubic foot conversion calculators above, or multiply by the appropriate conversion factor. For example, to convert cubic feet to gallons, multiply by 7.48052; to convert cubic feet to liters, multiply by 28.3168. For detailed instructions on converting cubic feet to cubic meters, visit our ft³ to m³ converter. Our tool also handles conversions to imperial units like gallons and pints with high precision.
What are common uses for cubic foot conversion?
Cubic foot conversion is essential in construction (room volumes), shipping (cargo space), manufacturing (container capacities), and HVAC (airflow measurements). Whether calculating how much concrete is needed for a project or determining shipping costs based on volume, our cubic foot converter tool simplifies these everyday tasks. It's also used in utility billing for natural gas consumption measured in cubic feet.
How does cubic foot conversion differ from other volume units?
The cubic foot is part of the imperial system, making it distinct from metric units like liters and cubic meters. While metric conversions often involve powers of 10 (e.g., 1000 mL = 1 L), imperial conversions use specific factors (e.g., 7.48052 gallons = 1 cubic foot). This difference makes our cubic foot converter particularly valuable when working between measurement systems, especially for international volume conversions.
Can I convert very small or very large measurements in cubic feet?
Yes, our cubic foot converter handles both extremely small and large measurements with precision. For microscopic work, convert cubic millimeters to cubic feet (1 mm³ = 3.53147e-8 ft³). For large volumes, convert cubic feet to cubic yards (1 yd³ = 27 ft³) or even acre-feet for water management. Our smart rounding feature ensures readable results for all scales.
Is your cubic foot conversion tool free to use?
Yes, our cubic foot conversion calculator is completely free with no registration required. Simply enter your value, select your target unit, and get instant, accurate results. We believe precise volume measurement conversion should be accessible to everyone, from students learning about units to professionals working on complex engineering projects requiring accurate volume conversions.