A cubic foot is exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters.
Cubic feet to Cubic yards Converter — ft3 to yd3
Convert Cubic foot (ft3) to Cubic yard (yd3) using the exact conversion factor (1 cubic foot = 0.037037037 cubic yard). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Cubic feet to Cubic yards 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.
A cubic yard is exactly 0.764554857984 cubic meters.
Result = input x 0.02831684659 / 0.764554858.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Cubic feet to Cubic yards
Cubic foot and Cubic yard 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 yard is typically associated with united States (construction material estimating).
Formula
cubic yards = cubic feet × 0.037037037037
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 yard equals 0.764554857984 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct cubic foot-to-cubic yard factor of 0.037037037037.
Simple example
1 ft3 × 0.03703703704 = 0.037037037 yd3
1 cubic foot = 0.037037037 cubic yards.
Real-world example
10 ft3 × 0.03703703704 = 0.3703703704 yd3
10 cubic feet = 0.3703703704 cubic yards.
Conversion table
| Cubic foot (ft3) | Cubic yard (yd3) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft3 | 0.037037037 yd3 |
| 5 ft3 | 0.1851851852 yd3 |
| 10 ft3 | 0.3703703704 yd3 |
| 25 ft3 | 0.9259259259 yd3 |
| 50 ft3 | 1.851851852 yd3 |
| 100 ft3 | 3.703703704 yd3 |
Reverse conversion: Cubic yard to Cubic foot
0.037037037 yd3 × 27 = 0.999999999 ft3
0.037037037 cubic yards = 0.999999999 cubic feet.
cubic feet = cubic yards × 27
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Cubic yard to Cubic foot.
Cubic foot vs. Cubic yard
| Aspect | Cubic foot | Cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US/imperial customary unit | US/imperial customary unit |
| Typical use | US natural gas utility billing (often in hundreds or thousands of cubic feet) | US construction material estimating (concrete, mulch, topsoil, gravel — commonly sold by the cubic yard) |
| Where it's used | United States (construction, HVAC, natural gas billing) | United States (construction material estimating) |
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 yard
Cubic yard (yd3) measures volume. A cubic yard is exactly 0.764554857984 cubic meters, derived from the international yard. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States (construction material estimating)
Uses of the Cubic yard today
- US construction material estimating (concrete, mulch, topsoil, gravel — commonly sold by the cubic yard)
- Landscaping and excavation volume
History of the Cubic yard
The cubic yard follows from the standardized yard (0.9144 m exactly since 1959) and remains the standard US unit for bulk landscaping and construction materials.
Historical origin. Cubic yard 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 yard — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Basis for the modern yard and its derived volume unit.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards are in 1 cubic foot?
1 cubic foot equals 0.037037037 cubic yards, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert cubic foot to cubic yard?
Multiply the cubic foot value by 0.03703703704. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert cubic yard back to cubic foot?
Use the reverse factor: 1 cubic yard equals 27 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 yard?
Cubic yard (yd3) measures volume. A cubic yard is exactly 0.764554857984 cubic meters, derived from the international yard. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Is the cubic foot to cubic yard conversion exact?
Yes. A cubic yard is exactly 0.764554857984 cubic meters, derived from the international yard. 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)