The exact factor, both ways
m³ = ft³ × 0.0283168 , ft³ = m³ × 35.3147
A foot is exactly 0.3048 metres, so a cubic foot is 0.3048³ = 0.0283168 m³. For a rough figure, remember that 1 m³ is about 35 ft³ and divide by 35 — the error stays under 3%.
Quick reference
| Cubic feet | Cubic metres | Rough size |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ft³ | 0.0283 m³ | About 28 litres |
| 10 ft³ | 0.283 m³ | A small moving box |
| 100 ft³ | 2.832 m³ | A wardrobe |
| 1,000 ft³ | 28.32 m³ | A medium room |
| 1,165 ft³ | 33.0 m³ | A 20-foot shipping container |
| 10,000 ft³ | 283.2 m³ | An open-plan loft |
One cubic foot is also 28.32 litres, so to go from cubic feet to litres, multiply by 28.32.
Cube the factor, and mind area versus volume
- It is a cubic conversion. Multiply by 0.3048³, not 0.3048. Using the linear factor makes the answer roughly 35 times too big.
- ft³ is not ft². Cubic feet measure a volume, square feet a surface. 100 ft² of floor and 100 ft³ of space are different quantities.
- Round at the end. Carry the full factor through your working and round only the final result, or small errors compound in a chain of steps.
Common questions
How many cubic feet are in a cubic metre?
One cubic metre is 35.315 cubic feet. Going the other way, one cubic foot is 0.0283 cubic metres.
Why is the factor 0.0283 and not 0.3048?
Because this is a cubic conversion. One foot is 0.3048 metres, so one cubic foot is 0.3048 cubed, which is 0.0283168 cubic metres. Forgetting to cube the factor is the most common error.
How do I estimate cubic feet to cubic metres in my head?
Divide by 35. The rule that one cubic metre is about 35 cubic feet is off by under 3 percent, which is fine for a quick sense of scale.
