A cubic foot is exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters.
Cubic feet to Liters Converter — ft3 to L
Convert Cubic foot (ft3) to Liter (L) using the exact conversion factor (1 cubic foot = 28.31684659 liter). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Cubic feet to Liters 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 liter is one cubic decimeter.
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 Liters
Cubic foot and Liter 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 Liter is typically associated with standard volume unit for liquids worldwide, including in the US for beverages and fuel labeling in some contexts.
Formula
liters = 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 liter equals 0.001 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct cubic foot-to-liter factor of 28.316846592.
Simple example
1 ft3 × 28.31684659 = 28.31684659 L
1 cubic foot = 28.31684659 liters.
Real-world example
10 ft3 × 28.31684659 = 283.1684659 L
10 cubic feet = 283.1684659 liters.
Conversion table
| Cubic foot (ft3) | Liter (L) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft3 | 28.31684659 L |
| 5 ft3 | 141.584233 L |
| 10 ft3 | 283.1684659 L |
| 25 ft3 | 707.9211648 L |
| 50 ft3 | 1,415.84233 L |
| 100 ft3 | 2,831.684659 L |
Reverse conversion: Liter to Cubic foot
28.31684659 L × 0.03531466672 = 0.9999999999 ft3
28.31684659 liters = 0.9999999999 cubic feet.
cubic feet = liters × 0.0353146667215
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Liter to Cubic foot.
Cubic foot vs. Liter
| Aspect | Cubic foot | Liter |
|---|---|---|
| Family | US/imperial customary unit | Non-SI metric unit accepted for use with SI |
| Typical use | US natural gas utility billing (often in hundreds or thousands of cubic feet) | Beverage, fuel, and liquid product packaging worldwide |
| Where it's used | United States (construction, HVAC, natural gas billing) | Standard volume unit for liquids worldwide, including in the US for beverages and fuel labeling in some contexts |
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 Liter
Liter (L) measures volume. A liter is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (0.001 cubic meters). It is classified as a Non-SI metric unit accepted for use with SI.
Where it's used: Standard volume unit for liquids worldwide, including in the US for beverages and fuel labeling in some contexts
Uses of the Liter today
- Beverage, fuel, and liquid product packaging worldwide
- Cooking and recipe measurement in metric countries
- Laboratory and scientific volume measurement
History of the Liter
The liter was introduced with the French metric system in 1795, originally defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water at its freezing point — tying volume, mass, and the meter together.
Between 1901 and 1964, the liter was briefly redefined as the volume of exactly one kilogram of water at its maximum density (about 4 °C), which made it very slightly larger than a cubic decimeter. It was redefined back to exactly one cubic decimeter in 1964, the definition still used today.
Historical origin. Liter 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.
Liter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Non-SI units accepted for use with SI — Current cubic-decimeter definition of the liter.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters are in 1 cubic foot?
1 cubic foot equals 28.31684659 liters, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert cubic foot to liter?
Multiply the cubic foot value by 28.31684659. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert liter back to cubic foot?
Use the reverse factor: 1 liter 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 liter?
Liter (L) measures volume. A liter is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (0.001 cubic meters). It is classified as a Non-SI metric unit accepted for use with SI.
Is the cubic foot to liter conversion exact?
Yes. A liter is defined as exactly one cubic decimeter (0.001 cubic meters). 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)