Cubic Feet Calculator
Convert any box or cylinder to cubic feet, with instant cubic yards, meters, and gallons.
Volume Details
Shape
Quick start
Length
Width
Height
Live shape preview — dimensions are converted to feet before multiplying.
Ready to calculate
Pick a shape, enter dimensions, and calculate volume.
Last updated June 16, 2026 by our expert review team
Cubic Feet Conversion Table
To find cubic feet, multiply length × width × height in feet — a 6 ft × 4 ft × 2 ft box is 48 cubic feet. Measuring in inches? Multiply the inches and divide by 1,728. A cubic yard holds 27 cubic feet.
Convert the result to cubic yards, cubic meters, or gallons with the factors below.
| Conversion | Factor |
|---|---|
| 1 cubic yard | 27 ft³ |
| 1 cubic meter | 35.31 ft³ |
| 1 cubic foot | 1,728 in³ |
| 1 cubic foot | 7.48052 US gal |
NIST defines the international foot as exactly 0.3048 meter. The calculator uses that value for metric-to-foot conversions.
Expert Contributors
Cherry Jane Limbago
Licensed Civil Engineer & Master Plumber
Licensed civil engineer and master plumber with 10+ years in structural design, estimation, and project management. Currently Project Engineer at Universal Robina Corporation.
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Certified Cost & Estimating Professional
AACE-certified estimator working with 20+ insulation companies including the two largest franchises in America.
See full profileUpdated June 2026
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How the Cubic Feet Calculator Works
The calculator converts each dimension to feet first. Then it uses the box or cylinder formula and converts the cubic-foot answer to cubic yards, cubic meters, U.S. gallons, and cubic inches.
This is a volume converter, not a weight calculator. Use the result with a material-specific calculator when density, coverage, or bag yield matters.
Formulas
Box: ft³ = length(ft) × width(ft) × height(ft)
Cylinder: ft³ = π × radius(ft)² × height(ft)
From inches: ft³ = cubic inches ÷ 1,728
Quick Reference
- 1 yd³
- 27 ft³
- 1 m³
- 35.31 ft³
- 1 ft³
- 7.48052 US gal
- 1 ft
- 0.3048 m exactly
How Many Cubic Feet Is...?
Rough interior volumes for everyday things, so you can sanity-check a result or size up a move.
| Item | Cubic feet |
|---|---|
| 5-gallon bucket | 0.67 ft³ |
| Microwave oven | 1.5 ft³ |
| Medium moving box | 3 ft³ |
| Washing machine | 3.8 ft³ |
| Full-size refrigerator | 20 ft³ |
| Pickup truck bed | 50 ft³ |
| 10-ft moving truck | 380 ft³ |
| 26-ft moving truck | 1,700 ft³ |
Approximate interior capacity. Actual sizes vary by model and how tightly a space is packed.
Cubic Feet Examples for Common Shapes
Planter Box
2 ft x 1.5 ft x 1 ftUse the cubic feet result for bagged soil, then convert to cubic yards only if you are pricing bulk delivery.
Storage Tote
24 in x 18 in x 12 inInches work fine as long as every dimension is normalized to feet before multiplying.
Round Cylinder
12 in diameter x 24 in highUse radius in the formula. A 12 inch diameter means a 0.5 ft radius, not 12 inches squared directly.
Avoid these
Cubic Feet Mistakes That Change the Answer
Mixing units before multiplying
Do not multiply feet by inches. Convert each dimension to feet first, then multiply.
Using diameter as radius
For cylinders, radius is half the diameter. A 12 inch diameter uses a 6 inch radius.
Confusing square feet and cubic feet
Square feet is area. Cubic feet needs a height or depth.
Measuring outside dimensions for inside capacity
For containers, measure inside length, width, and height if you need usable volume.
Using volume as weight
Cubic feet does not tell you pounds or tons until you know the material density.
Ignoring supplier units
Soil may be sold by bag, gravel by ton or yard, and liquids by gallon. Convert the final cubic feet to the buying unit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cubic Feet
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
How do you calculate cubic feet from inches?
How many gallons are in a cubic foot?
Box or cylinder mode: which should I use?
Should I convert every dimension to feet first?
How do I use cubic feet to estimate material cost?
Is cubic feet the same as square feet?
Can I use cubic feet for soil, gravel, concrete, and water?
Need a material-specific estimate? Use square footage for area first, then jump to the concrete bags calculator, gravel calculator, or pool volume calculator.
Important Disclaimer
These estimates are for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary by location, material availability, and project complexity. Always get at least 3 local quotes. This calculator does not replace professional advice.