A cubic foot is exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters.
Cubic feet to Cubic Meters Converter — ft3 to m3
Convert Cubic foot (ft3) to Cubic Meter (m3) using the exact conversion factor (1 cubic foot = 0.0283168466 cubic meter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Cubic feet to Cubic Meters 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 / 1.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Cubic feet to Cubic Meters
Cubic foot and Cubic Meter 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 typically associated with united States (construction, HVAC, natural gas billing), while Cubic Meter is typically associated with standard volume unit worldwide for large-scale measurement (construction, shipping, utilities).
Formula
cubic meters = cubic feet × 0.028316846592
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 meter equals 1 base unit, so dividing one by the other gives the direct cubic foot-to-cubic meter factor of 0.028316846592.
Simple example
1 ft3 × 0.02831684659 = 0.0283168466 m3
1 cubic foot = 0.0283168466 cubic meters.
Real-world example
10 ft3 × 0.02831684659 = 0.2831684659 m3
10 cubic feet = 0.2831684659 cubic meters.
Conversion table
| Cubic foot (ft3) | Cubic Meter (m3) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft3 | 0.0283168466 m3 |
| 5 ft3 | 0.141584233 m3 |
| 10 ft3 | 0.2831684659 m3 |
| 25 ft3 | 0.7079211648 m3 |
| 50 ft3 | 1.41584233 m3 |
| 100 ft3 | 2.831684659 m3 |
Reverse conversion: Cubic Meter to Cubic foot
0.0283168466 m3 × 35.31466672 = 1 ft3
0.0283168466 cubic meters = 1 cubic feet.
cubic feet = cubic meters × 35.3146667215
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Cubic Meter to Cubic foot.
Cubic foot vs. Cubic Meter
| Aspect | Cubic foot | Cubic Meter |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US/imperial customary unit | SI derived unit |
| Typical use | US natural gas utility billing (often in hundreds or thousands of cubic feet) | Concrete, excavation, and construction material volume |
| Where it's used | United States (construction, HVAC, natural gas billing) | Standard volume unit worldwide for large-scale measurement (construction, shipping, utilities) |
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 Meter
Cubic Meter (m3) measures volume. The cubic meter is the SI derived unit of volume: the volume of a cube with 1-meter sides. It is classified as a SI derived unit.
Where it's used: Standard volume unit worldwide for large-scale measurement (construction, shipping, utilities)
Uses of the Cubic Meter today
- Concrete, excavation, and construction material volume
- Natural gas and water utility billing in many countries
- Shipping container and freight volume measurement
History of the Cubic Meter
Like the square meter, the cubic meter is a coherent SI derived unit that follows automatically from the meter rather than having an independent origin story of its own.
Historical origin. Cubic Meter was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Cubic foot — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Basis for the modern foot and its derived volume unit.
Cubic Meter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Coherent derived units — Defines the cubic meter as the SI unit of volume.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic meters are in 1 cubic foot?
1 cubic foot equals 0.0283168466 cubic meters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert cubic foot to cubic meter?
Multiply the cubic foot value by 0.02831684659. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert cubic meter back to cubic foot?
Use the reverse factor: 1 cubic meter equals 35.31466672 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 meter?
Cubic Meter (m3) measures volume. The cubic meter is the SI derived unit of volume: the volume of a cube with 1-meter sides. It is classified as a SI derived unit.
Is the cubic foot to cubic meter 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)