Volume Conversion Reference
| From | To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic feet | Cubic yards | ÷ 27 |
| Cubic feet | Cubic meters | × 0.0283168 |
| Cubic feet | US gallons | × 7.48052 |
| Cubic feet | Liters | × 28.3168 |
Cubic Feet Calculator
Calculate the volume of any rectangular space in cubic feet. Enter dimensions in feet, inches, yards, or meters. Instantly converts to cubic yards, cubic meters, and gallons.
Volume Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate cubic feet?
Cubic feet = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Height (ft). If your measurements are in inches, divide each by 12 first (or divide the result by 1,728). For example: a box 24" × 18" × 12" = 2ft × 1.5ft × 1ft = 3 cubic feet. Cubic feet is commonly used for shipping, storage units, refrigerators, and concrete calculations.
How many cubic feet in a cubic yard?
There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard (3ft × 3ft × 3ft = 27 ft³). This is important for ordering concrete, fill dirt, mulch, or gravel — these materials are typically sold by the cubic yard. Divide your cubic feet total by 27 to get cubic yards needed.
The formula
Cubic feet = length (ft) × width (ft) × height (ft)
All three dimensions must be in feet before multiplying. Measurements in inches are divided by 12 first — or multiply all three in inches and divide the result by 1,728, since a cubic foot contains 12 × 12 × 12 inches.
Worked example
A box 30 in × 18 in × 24 in:
- In feet: 2.5 × 1.5 × 2.0 = 7.5 cubic feet
- Or in inches: 30 × 18 × 24 = 12,960 ÷ 1,728 = 7.5
The cubing trap
Volume units scale by the cube of the linear factor, which catches people out badly:
- 1 cubic foot = 1,728 cubic inches (not 12)
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (not 3)
- 1 cubic metre ≈ 35.3 cubic feet
Dividing cubic feet by 3 to get cubic yards understates volume ninefold — a mistake that shows up regularly in landscaping and concrete orders.
Where it's used
- Moving and storage — container sizing and removal quotes are volume-based
- Shipping — carriers bill on dimensional weight for bulky, light items
- Appliances — refrigerator and freezer capacity
- Landscaping — soil, mulch and gravel, usually ordered in cubic yards
- HVAC — room volume determines heating and cooling requirements
Irregular objects
For anything not box-shaped, measure the smallest rectangular space it fits inside. That overstates true volume but is what actually matters for packing and transport, since a van has to accommodate the bounding space, not the object's exact shape.