A cubic foot is exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters.
Cubic feet to Cubic Decimeters Converter — ft3 to dm3
Convert Cubic foot (ft3) to Cubic Decimeter (dm3) using the exact conversion factor (1 cubic foot = 28.31684659 cubic decimeter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Cubic feet to Cubic Decimeters converter
Converter
Volume Converter
Convert metric, US customary, imperial, cooking, dry, and industrial volume units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
Cubic metric volume unit.
Result = input x 0.02831684659 / 0.001.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Cubic feet to Cubic Decimeters
Cubic foot and Cubic Decimeter appear side by side at fuel pumps and on beverage labels, since the US measures liquids in gallons while most of the world uses liters. Cubic foot is most often used for us natural gas utility billing (often in hundreds or thousands of cubic feet).
Formula
cubic decimeters = cubic feet × 28.316846592
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 cubic foot equals 0.028316846592 base units, and 1 cubic decimeter equals 0.001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct cubic foot-to-cubic decimeter factor of 28.316846592.
Simple example
1 ft3 × 28.31684659 = 28.31684659 dm3
1 cubic foot = 28.31684659 cubic decimeters.
Real-world example
10 ft3 × 28.31684659 = 283.1684659 dm3
10 cubic feet = 283.1684659 cubic decimeters.
Conversion table
| Cubic foot (ft3) | Cubic Decimeter (dm3) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft3 | 28.31684659 dm3 |
| 5 ft3 | 141.584233 dm3 |
| 10 ft3 | 283.1684659 dm3 |
| 25 ft3 | 707.9211648 dm3 |
| 50 ft3 | 1,415.84233 dm3 |
| 100 ft3 | 2,831.684659 dm3 |
Reverse conversion: Cubic Decimeter to Cubic foot
28.31684659 dm3 × 0.03531466672 = 0.9999999999 ft3
28.31684659 cubic decimeters = 0.9999999999 cubic feet.
cubic feet = cubic decimeters × 0.0353146667215
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Cubic Decimeter to Cubic foot.
Understanding the Cubic foot
Cubic foot (ft3) measures volume. A cubic foot is exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters, derived from the 1959 international foot. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (construction, HVAC, natural gas billing)
Uses of the Cubic foot today
- US natural gas utility billing (often in hundreds or thousands of cubic feet)
- HVAC airflow and building-volume calculations
- Lumber, concrete, and construction material estimation in the US
History of the Cubic foot
The cubic foot, like the square foot, follows from the standardized foot (exactly 0.3048 m since the 1959 international agreement) rather than having a separate historical definition.
Historical origin. Cubic foot was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Cubic Decimeter (dm3)
Cubic metric volume unit.
Cubic foot — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Basis for the modern foot and its derived volume unit.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic decimeters are in 1 cubic foot?
1 cubic foot equals 28.31684659 cubic decimeters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert cubic foot to cubic decimeter?
Multiply the cubic foot value by 28.31684659. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert cubic decimeter back to cubic foot?
Use the reverse factor: 1 cubic decimeter equals 0.0353146667 cubic feet. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a cubic foot?
Cubic foot (ft3) measures volume. A cubic foot is exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters, derived from the 1959 international foot. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
What is a cubic decimeter?
Cubic Decimeter (dm3) is a unit of volume.
Is the cubic foot to cubic decimeter conversion exact?
Yes. A cubic foot is exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters, derived from the 1959 international foot. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
Where is the cubic foot still used today?
United States (construction, HVAC, natural gas billing)