What Is a Cubic Foot?
A cubic foot (ft³) is a unit of volume equal to the space inside a cube with sides of exactly one foot. It is widely used in construction, shipping, and real estate in the United States and other countries that use imperial measurements.
One cubic foot equals:
- 1,728 cubic inches (12³)
- 0.0283 cubic meters
- 28.32 liters
- ~7.48 US gallons
How to Calculate Cubic Feet
The formula is straightforward:
Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Height (ft)
If your measurements are in other units, convert first:
| Unit | Multiply by |
|---|---|
| Inches | 0.0833 (÷ 12) |
| Yards | 3 |
| Centimeters | 0.0328 |
| Meters | 3.281 |
The calculator handles these conversions automatically — just select the right unit for each field.
Common Uses
- Shipping and storage — calculate the volume of a box or container to estimate freight costs or storage fees
- Soil and mulch — find how many cubic feet (or yards) of material you need to fill a raised bed or cover a garden area
- HVAC and ventilation — room volume in cubic feet is the starting point for calculating air exchange rates
- Aquariums and tanks — convert tank dimensions to cubic feet or liters
- Concrete and fill material — estimate how much material to order for a foundation, slab, or column
Need the area of a floor or wall? Try our Square Footage Calculator.