How to Convert Cubic Meters to Cubic Feet

Cubic feet and cubic meters are both measures of volume, the former in the imperial and U.S. customary system, and the latter in the metric system. The conversion is most easily explained with an example problem:

How many cubic feet of space is enclosed by a box measuring 2m x 2m x 3m?

Solution

Step 1: Find the volume of the box

Volume in m³ = 2m x 2m x 3m = 12 m³

Step 2: Determine how many cubic feet are in 1 cubic meter

1 m = 3.28084 ft

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Converting Cubic Feet to Liters

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.

(1 m)³ = (3.28084 ft)³

1 m³ = 35.315 ft³

Step 3: Convert m³ to ft³

Set up the conversion so that the desired unit will be canceled out. In this case, we want ft³ to be the remaining unit.

Volume in ft³ = Volume in m³ x 35.315 ft³/1 m³

Volume in ft³ = 12 m³ x 35.315 ft³/1 m³

Volume in ft³ = 423.8 ft³

Answer

The volume of space, in cubic feet, enclosed by a box measuring 2m x 2m x 3m is 423.8 ft³

Cubic Feet To Cubic Meters Example Problem

You can work the conversion the other way. As a simple example, convert 50.0 cubic feet to cubic meters.

Start with the conversion factor: 1 m³ = 35.315 ft³ or 1 ft³ = 0.0283 m³

It doesn't matter which conversion factor you use, providing you set up the problem correctly.

Volume in cubic meters = 50.0 cubic feet x (1 cubic meter / 35.315 cubic feet)

The cubic feet will cancel out, leaving cubic meters:

Volume in cubic meters is 1.416 m³.