How many cubic metres are in a cubic foot?

One cubic foot equals exactly 0.028316846592 cubic metres (m³). This is derived from the international yard definition: 1 foot = 0.3048 metres exactly, so 1 ft³ = 0.3048³ = 0.028316846592 m³. For most practical purposes 0.02832 m³ is sufficiently precise.

How do I convert cubic feet to cubic metres?

Multiply the number of cubic feet by 0.028316846592. For example, 10 ft³ × 0.028316846592 = 0.2832 m³. To go the other way, multiply cubic metres by 35.3147 to get cubic feet.

Why do cubic unit conversions differ from linear ones?

Because volume is three-dimensional, the linear conversion factor is cubed. One foot is 0.3048 metres, but one cubic foot is 0.3048³ = 0.028317 m³, not simply 0.3048 m³. Similarly, one square foot is 0.3048² = 0.0929 m². Always cube the linear factor when converting volumes.

Cubic Feet to Cubic Metres Converter

This converter switches between cubic feet (ft³) and cubic metres (m³), the two volume units you meet when an appliance spec sheet, shipping container, or set of American building plans is marked in feet while everything else in New Zealand is measured in metres. Type a figure into the cubic feet field and the calculator multiplies it by the exact factor 0.028316846592 to return the equivalent in cubic metres, litres and cubic centimetres, updating instantly as you type. A reverse field lets you go the other way: enter a cubic metre value and it divides by the same factor to give cubic feet. Choose how many decimal places to show, from a rounded two place figure up to the full nine digit precision, and a preset menu fills in common volumes such as one cubic foot, a cubic yard of 27 ft³, or the ft³ equivalent of one cubic metre. Below the calculator, a conversion breakdown shows the sum step by step, a worked example converts 10 ft³ of timber into cubic metres, and a reference table lists ready made conversions from half a cubic foot up to 1,000 ft³. Use it for reading imported appliance capacities, pricing timber, checking concrete quantities on US plans, working out shipping volumes, or converting airflow rates from cubic feet per minute to cubic metres per minute.

Calculate.co.nz is proud to be partnered with realtor.co.nz, a trusted resource for navigating the New Zealand property market. Their Helpful Articles section offers clear, well-structured insights across buying, selling, and building, making complex real estate topics more accessible. With a focus on up-to-date guidance and practical knowledge, they empower Kiwis to move forward with clarity and confidence in a constantly evolving property landscape.

Standard conversion Based on the international yard definition: 1 foot = 0.3048 m exactly (ISO 31-1).

1. Cubic Feet to Cubic Metres

Cubic feet (ft³)

ft³

Result in cubic metres

m³

Precision (decimal places)

2. Cubic Metres to Cubic Feet (Reverse)

Cubic metres (m³)

m³

Result in cubic feet

ft³

Common volume preset (fills ft³ field)

Conversion Results

Cubic Metres
0.283168
m³

Litres

283.168

L (1 m³ = 1,000 L)

Cubic Centimetres

283,168

cm³

Conversion Breakdown

Input10 ft³

Conversion factor0.028316846592

Calculation10 × 0.028317

Result0.283168 m³

Worked Example

Scenario10 ft³ of timber

Formulaft³ × 0.028317

Step 110 × 0.028317

Answer0.283168 m³

Reference Table: Common ft³ to m³ Values

Cubic Feet (ft³)	Cubic Metres (m³)	Litres (L)	Notes
0.5	0.014158	14.158	Half a cubic foot
1	0.028317	28.317	12 inch cube
5	0.141584	141.584
10	0.283168	283.168	Default example
27	0.764555	764.555	1 cubic yard
35.3147	1.000000	1,000.000	Exactly 1 m³
100	2.831685	2,831.685
500	14.158423	14,158.423
1,000	28.316847	28,316.847

How to Convert Cubic Feet to Cubic Metres

To convert from cubic feet to cubic metres, multiply the number of cubic feet by the exact factor 0.028316846592. This factor comes from cubing the linear foot-to-metre conversion: 1 foot = 0.3048 metres (exact, by international agreement since 1959), so 1 ft³ = 0.3048 × 0.3048 × 0.3048 = 0.028316846592 m³.

The formula is:

m³ = ft³ × 0.028316846592

To convert in the other direction, from cubic metres back to cubic feet:

ft³ = m³ × 35.314666...

The reverse factor (35.3147) is simply 1 ÷ 0.028316846592.

Why Cubic Conversions Differ from Linear Ones

A common mistake is to assume that because 1 foot is about 0.3048 metres, 1 cubic foot must be about 0.3048 cubic metres. This is wrong. Volume is three-dimensional, so the linear factor must be cubed:

Linear: 1 ft = 0.3048 m
Area: 1 ft² = 0.3048² = 0.092903 m²
Volume: 1 ft³ = 0.3048³ = 0.028317 m³

This is why one cubic metre contains 35.3147 cubic feet, not just 3.2808 (which is the linear feet per metre). Always cube the linear conversion factor when working with volumes.

Practical Uses of This Conversion

Cubic feet and cubic metres appear in many everyday contexts. In New Zealand, the metric system (cubic metres) is standard for construction, engineering, and trade, while cubic feet are still used in some imported appliance specifications, American building plans, and international shipping. Common situations where you need this conversion include:

Refrigerator, freezer, or oven capacity listed in cubic feet on imported appliances
Timber and firewood volumes, where cords and cubic feet are traditional measures
Concrete and aggregate orders specified in cubic yards or feet on US plans
Container and freight volumes when working with US suppliers
Swimming pool volumes and spa capacities
HVAC airflow rates (cubic feet per minute, cfm) converting to m³/min

Cubic Feet and Related Units

One cubic foot is exactly equal to:

0.028316846592 cubic metres (m³)
28.316846592 litres (L)
28,316.846592 millilitres (mL) or cubic centimetres (cm³)
0.037037 cubic yards (1/27 yd³)
1,728 cubic inches (12³)
7.48052 US gallons
6.22884 imperial gallons

Related Calculators

Essential Calculators hub: all converters in one place.
Cubic Metre Calculator: calculate volume in cubic metres from dimensions.
Volume Calculator: volume for common 3D shapes.
Area Conversion Calculator: convert between square feet, square metres, and more.
Metres to Feet Converter: linear metre and foot conversions.

Sources and method: International yard and pound agreement (1959), defining 1 yard = 0.9144 m exactly, therefore 1 foot = 0.3048 m exactly. ISO 31-1 (Quantities and units). National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Handbook 44.

This converter uses the internationally agreed exact value of 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³. Rounding in the display does not affect the underlying precision of the calculation.