Convert cubic foot to cubic meter.
ft³ to m³ — formula, reference values, and a live converter.
Convert cubic foot (ft³) to cubic meter (m³). This is a fixed-ratio conversion — multiply the input by the factor below.
Formula
m³ = ft³ × 0.0283168
Reference values
| ft³ (cubic foot) | m³ (cubic meter) |
|---|---|
| 1 ft³ | 0.028317 m³ |
| 5 ft³ | 0.14158 m³ |
| 10 ft³ | 0.28317 m³ |
| 100 ft³ | 2.8317 m³ |
| 1000 ft³ | 28.317 m³ |
| 10000 ft³ | 283.17 m³ |
Things to watch for
- US and UK gallons are different. 1 US gal = 3.785 L; 1 UK (imperial) gal = 4.546 L. Recipes from the UK will not work with US cups.
- Volume scales as the cube of length: doubling a container's dimensions multiplies volume by 8, not 2.
- For viscous or compressible fluids, volume changes with temperature and pressure. Specify conditions for precise work.
What is a cubic meter?
One cubic meter equals exactly 1,000 liters. Building volumes, shipping container capacity, water-utility billing, and natural-gas measurement.
Real-world examples of ft³
It can help to anchor a unit in everyday objects. 1 ft³ is about the size of a microwave oven; 27 ft³ is one cubic yard — a typical home refrigerator volume.
How to convert ft3 to cubic meter
To convert a value from ft3 (ft3) to cubic meter (m³), apply the conversion factor shown in the formula above. The calculation is the same whether you do it by hand, in a spreadsheet, or with the live converter on this page.
Steps:
- Take your input value in ft3.
- Apply the formula
m³ = ft³ × 0.0283168. - The result is your value in m³.
For repeated calculations, save the formula in a spreadsheet or use the live converter at the top of this page — it handles the math automatically and displays the result as you type.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert ft3 to m³?
Apply the formula ft3 → m³ shown above, or just type your value into the converter at the top of this page. The result updates instantly.
Which is bigger, ft3 or m³?
This depends on the conversion ratio in the formula. If the factor multiplied by your value gives a larger number, then m³ is the smaller unit (so it takes more of them to express the same quantity). If the result is smaller, then m³ is the larger unit.
When would I use ft3 versus m³?
Both units measure volume, so the choice depends on context. Ft3 is typically used for cooking, beverages, fuel, and industrial fluid handling; cubic meter similarly. Most professional fields standardize on one or the other based on regional conventions or technical tradition.
How precise is this ft3 to m³ conversion?
The conversion factor shown is the internationally defined exact value (or the best-published approximation if the relationship is irrational, like degrees-to-radians). The live converter on this page uses double-precision floating-point math, accurate to about 15 significant digits — far beyond any practical engineering need.
Is the conversion ratio exact, or an approximation?
Most unit conversions between SI metric units, and between SI and US customary units, have been formally defined as exact values since the 1959 international yard-pound agreement and subsequent SI redefinitions. Exceptions are unit pairs that involve irrational numbers (radians, e.g.) or empirical conversions (like food calories, which depend on temperature). When in doubt, consult the formula at the top of this page.
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