
Cubic feet (ft3) and cubic meters (m3) are two common volume units. Cubic feet finds use in the U.S. and Imperial system, while cubic meters is a metric unit. You’ll see these units measuring large volumes, like containers and quantities of liquids and gases.
Here is how the cubic feet to cubic meters works. See examples for performing the unit conversion both to and from cubic meters.
Cubic Feet to Cubic Meters Conversion Factors
There are four conversion factors for converting between cubic feet and cubic meters. It does not matter which one you use.
- 1 ft3 = 0.02832 m3
- 1 m3 = 35.3147 ft3
- 1 ft3 = (0.03048)3 m3
- 1 m3 = (3.2808)3 ft3
Note that the conversion is the same as converting feet to meters and then cubing the value! Not-cubing the unit is the most common mistake people make doing volume unit conversions.
Cubic Feet to Cubic Meters Conversion Example
For example, convert 50.0 cubic feet to cubic meters.
Solution
Start with any of the conversion factors. As long as you set up the problem correctly, it does not matter which one you choose.
1 m3 = 35.315 ft3 or 1 ft3 = 0.0283 m3
Next, perform the unit conversion:
Volume in cubic meters = 50.0 ft3 x (1 m3 / 35.315 ft3)
Volume in cubic meters = 1.416 m3
If you use other conversion factors, the problem looks like this:
Volume in cubic meters = 50.0 ft3 x (0.0283 m3 / 1 ft3)
Volume in cubic meters = 50.0 ft3 x [1 m3 / (3.2808)3 ft3]
Volume in cubic meters = 50.0 ft3 x [(0.03048)3 m3 /1 ft3]
All of the calculations yield the same answer. However, rounding in the unit conversion factors can lead to a difference in the last digit. Be sure to watch significant digits if they are important for your work.
Cubic Meters to Cubic Feet Conversion Example
The conversion process works the same whether you convert cubic feet to cubic meters or you convert cubic meters to cubic feet.
For example: How many cubic feet is a box with dimensions 2m x 2m x 3m?
Solution
First, find the volume of the box:
Volume = length x width x height
Volume = 2m x 2m x 3m = 12 m3
Next, find the number of cubic feet in one cubic meter:
1 m = 3.28084 ft
(1 m)³ = (3.28084 ft)³
1 m³ = 35.315 ft³
Finally, set up the conversion so that the unwanted unit (m3) cancels out, leaving the desired unit (ft3):
Volume in ft³ = Volume in m³ x 35.315 ft³/1 m³
Volume in ft³ = 12 m³ x 35.315 ft³/1 m³
Volume in ft³ = 423.8 ft³
Here is a table of common m3 to ft3 conversions:
Cubic Meters | Cubic Feet |
1 m3 | 35.31 ft3 |
2 m3 | 70.63 ft3 |
3 m3 | 105.94 ft3 |
4 m3 | 141.26 ft3 |
5 m3 | 176.57 ft3 |
6 m3 | 211.89 ft3 |
7 m3 | 247.20 ft3 |
8 m3 | 282.52 ft3 |
9 m3 | 317.83 ft3 |
10 m3 | 353.15 ft3 |
More Volume Unit Conversion Examples
Do you need more practice with volume unit conversions?