Cubic metric volume unit.
Cubic Meters to Cubic feet Converter — m3 to ft3
Convert Cubic Meter (m3) to Cubic foot (ft3) using the exact conversion factor (1 cubic meter = 35.31466672 cubic foot). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, unit comparison, history, and common uses.
Cubic Meters to Cubic feet 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 foot is exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters.
Result = input x 1 / 0.02831684659.
Volume uses the cubic meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Cubic Meters to Cubic feet
Cubic Meter and Cubic foot 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 Meter is typically associated with standard volume unit worldwide for large-scale measurement (construction, shipping, utilities), while Cubic foot is typically associated with united States (construction, HVAC, natural gas billing).
Formula
cubic feet = cubic meters × 35.3146667215
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 cubic meter equals 1 base unit, and 1 cubic foot equals 0.028316846592 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct cubic meter-to-cubic foot factor of 35.3146667215.
Simple example
1 m3 × 35.31466672 = 35.31466672 ft3
1 cubic meter = 35.31466672 cubic feet.
Real-world example
10 m3 × 35.31466672 = 353.1466672 ft3
10 cubic meters = 353.1466672 cubic feet.
Conversion table
| Cubic Meter (m3) | Cubic foot (ft3) |
|---|---|
| 1 m3 | 35.31466672 ft3 |
| 5 m3 | 176.5733336 ft3 |
| 10 m3 | 353.1466672 ft3 |
| 25 m3 | 882.866668 ft3 |
| 50 m3 | 1,765.733336 ft3 |
| 100 m3 | 3,531.466672 ft3 |
Reverse conversion: Cubic foot to Cubic Meter
35.31466672 ft3 × 0.02831684659 = 1 m3
35.31466672 cubic feet = 1 cubic meters.
cubic meters = cubic feet × 0.028316846592
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Cubic foot to Cubic Meter.
Cubic Meter vs. Cubic foot
| Aspect | Cubic Meter | Cubic foot |
|---|---|---|
| Family | SI derived unit | US/imperial customary unit |
| Typical use | Concrete, excavation, and construction material volume | US natural gas utility billing (often in hundreds or thousands of cubic feet) |
| Where it's used | Standard volume unit worldwide for large-scale measurement (construction, shipping, utilities) | United States (construction, HVAC, natural gas billing) |
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.
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.
Cubic Meter — sources
- BIPM SI Brochure — Coherent derived units — Defines the cubic meter as the SI unit of volume.
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 feet are in 1 cubic meter?
1 cubic meter equals 35.31466672 cubic feet, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert cubic meter to cubic foot?
Multiply the cubic meter value by 35.31466672. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert cubic foot back to cubic meter?
Use the reverse factor: 1 cubic foot equals 0.0283168466 cubic meters. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
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.
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.
Is the cubic meter to cubic foot 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 meter still used today?
Standard volume unit worldwide for large-scale measurement (construction, shipping, utilities)