How to Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Meters

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:

More Volume Unit Conversion Examples

Do you need more practice with volume unit conversions?

• Cubic centimeters to cubic meters (cm³ to m³)
• Cubic inches to liters (in³ to L)
• Gallons to liters