Convert Cubic Foot to Cubic Meter (ft³ → m³)
The cubic foot is the American standard for HVAC capacity, natural gas billing, and refrigerator volume.
Cubic Foot to Cubic Meter Conversion Table
10 common values| Cubic Foot | Cubic Meter |
|---|---|
| 1 ft³ | 0.028317 m³ |
| 2 ft³ | 0.056634 m³ |
| 5 ft³ | 0.141584 m³ |
| 10 ft³ | 0.283168 m³ |
| 20 ft³ | 0.566337 m³ |
| 50 ft³ | 1.415842 m³ |
| 100 ft³ | 2.831685 m³ |
| 200 ft³ | 5.663369 m³ |
| 500 ft³ | 14.158423 m³ |
| 1,000 ft³ | 28.316847 m³ |
How to Convert Cubic Foot to Cubic Meter Manually
Step by StepConverting cubic feet to cubic meters is straightforward: multiply by the conversion factor. Follow these three steps to do it by hand or in your head.
- 1Take your value in cubic feetStart with the number of cubic feet (ft³) you want to convert.
- 2Multiply by 0.028317The conversion factor from ft³ to m³ is 0.028317. Multiply your value by this number.
- 3Read the result in cubic metersThe result is your value in cubic meters (m³).
Formula
Multiply the value in cubic feet by 0.028317. For the reverse direction, multiply by 35.314667.
m³ = ft³ × 0.028317ft³ = m³ × 35.314667Tips
Use these in everyday conversions- 1 ft³ = 28.317 L = 0.0283 m³.
- CFM to m³/h: multiply CFM by 1.699.
- 1 m³ ≈ 35.3 ft³.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these- Confusing ft³ with ft² in US real-estate contexts.
- Using 28 L instead of 28.32 L in precision HVAC calculations.
- Mixing CCF (100 cubic feet) with CFM (cubic feet per minute) on utility bills.
About Cubic Foot and Cubic Meter
What is the Cubic Foot?
The cubic foot equals approximately 28.317 liters (or exactly 1,728 cubic inches) and is the American standard volume unit for HVAC capacity, natural-gas billing, refrigerator interior volume, and bulk material like concrete or mulch. American gas utilities measure delivered gas in 'CCF' (hundred cubic feet) or 'MCF' (thousand cubic feet), even when the customer thinks in terms of monthly bills. Refrigerators are advertised by their interior cubic-foot capacity (typical home unit: 18–25 ft³). Air-conditioning systems are rated in CFM (cubic feet per minute) airflow. Concrete is sometimes priced by the cubic yard (27 ft³), and mulch and topsoil are often sold by cubic foot bags. The cubic foot relates to the cubic yard (27 ft³ = 1 yd³), the cubic inch (1,728 in³ = 1 ft³), the cubic meter (1 ft³ ≈ 0.0283 m³), and the gallon (1 ft³ ≈ 7.481 US gal).
- US air-conditioning and ventilation flow (CFM)
- US natural gas consumption
- Refrigerator and freezer capacity in the US
A typical US fridge is 20 cu ft (566 L). US HVAC flow rated in CFM. US residential gas billed per 100 cu ft (CCF).
What is the Cubic Meter?
The cubic meter equals exactly 1,000 liters and is the SI unit of volume, used for water utilities, construction materials, shipping containers, gas volumes, and industrial-scale measurements. Domestic water bills typically show consumption in cubic meters (a typical household uses 5–15 m³ per month), and natural-gas billing also uses m³. Concrete is delivered by the cubic meter, and shipping containers have internal volumes of about 33 m³ (20-ft) or 67 m³ (40-ft). The cubic meter is the volume of a cube measuring 1 meter on each side. It relates to the liter (1 m³ = 1,000 L), the cubic centimeter (1 m³ = 1,000,000 cm³), the cubic foot (1 m³ ≈ 35.31 ft³), and the US gallon (1 m³ ≈ 264.17 gal). Truck-cargo capacity, swimming-pool size, and natural-gas reserves are all commonly expressed in cubic meters.
- Household water and gas consumption on utility bills
- Concrete ordering for construction projects
- Shipping container and freight capacity
A 20 ft shipping container holds ~33 m³. UK household water use is ~130 m³/year. Natural gas is billed per m³ in Europe.