How to use the cubic feet calculator
- Enter the length, width and height in feet.
- The cubic feet calculator multiplies the three dimensions to find the volume in ft³.
- Review the automatic conversions to cubic yards and cubic meters below the main result.
- Use the values to order materials or estimate storage capacity.
How the volume formula works
The volume of a rectangular space is found by multiplying its three dimensions: V = L × W × H. When all measurements are in feet, the result is in cubic feet (ft³).
For example, a room that is 12 feet long, 8 feet wide and 4 feet high has a volume of 12 × 8 × 4 = 384 cubic feet. The same formula applies whether you are measuring a shipping container, a closet or a raised garden bed.
Converting cubic feet to cubic yards and cubic meters
Material suppliers often quote prices per cubic yard, while scientific and international projects use cubic meters. This tool acts as both a cubic yard calculator and a cubic meter calculator by applying exact conversion factors.
Cubic yards: One yard equals exactly 3 feet, so one cubic yard equals 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet. Divide your cubic feet result by 27 to get cubic yards. For the 384 ft³ room above: 384 / 27 = 14.222 yd³.
Cubic meters: One foot is defined as exactly 0.3048 meters by international agreement. Therefore one cubic foot equals 0.3048³ = 0.028316846592 cubic meters. Multiply your cubic feet by this factor: 384 × 0.028316846592 = 10.8737 m³.
Common volume reference table
The table below shows volumes for standard spaces, calculated with this cubic feet calculator. Use it as a quick reference when estimating project sizes.
| Space | L (ft) | W (ft) | H (ft) | Volume (ft³) | Volume (yd³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard closet | 6 | 3 | 8 | 144 | 5.333 |
| Small bedroom | 10 | 10 | 8 | 800 | 29.63 |
| One-car garage | 12 | 20 | 8 | 1,920 | 71.11 |
| 20-ft shipping container | 20 | 8 | 8.5 | 1,360 | 50.37 |
| Raised garden bed | 4 | 8 | 1 | 32 | 1.185 |
Practical uses for a cubic feet calculator
Knowing the volume of a space is essential across many trades and everyday tasks. Movers use cubic footage to determine which truck size fits a household's belongings. HVAC technicians calculate room volume to select correctly sized heating and cooling equipment.
In landscaping, topsoil and mulch are frequently sold by the cubic yard. By calculating the area's volume in cubic feet first and then dividing by 27, you can order the right amount without overpaying. If you need to convert the final volume to liquid measure, our cubic feet to gallons tool handles that step.
Handling mixed units and common mistakes
This calculator expects all three inputs in feet. A frequent error is entering inches or centimeters directly into the fields without converting them first. If your measurements are in inches, divide each by 12 before entering them. Our inches to feet converter can help with that step.
Another mistake is confusing square footage with cubic footage. Square feet measure flat area (length times width), while cubic feet measure three-dimensional volume (length times width times height). Always include the height or depth dimension when you need a volume figure.
For irregular shapes like cylinders or spheres, the rectangular formula L × W × H does not apply. You would need the appropriate geometric formula instead, such as πr²h for a cylinder.
Worked examples
| Example | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Storage room | Length (feet): 12; Width (feet): 8; Height (feet): 4 | Cubic feet (ft³): 384; Cubic yards (yd³): 14.2222; Cubic meters (m³): 10.873669 |
| Shipping container | Length (feet): 20; Width (feet): 8; Height (feet): 8.5 | Cubic feet (ft³): 1,360; Cubic yards (yd³): 50.3704; Cubic meters (m³): 38.510911 |
| Small box | Length (feet): 1.5; Width (feet): 1.5; Height (feet): 1.5 | Cubic feet (ft³): 3.375; Cubic yards (yd³): 0.125; Cubic meters (m³): 0.095569 |
| Garden bed | Length (feet): 6; Width (feet): 3; Height (feet): 0.5 | Cubic feet (ft³): 9; Cubic yards (yd³): 0.3333; Cubic meters (m³): 0.254852 |
FAQ
What is the formula for cubic feet?
Multiply the length, width and height together, making sure all three measurements are in feet. The formula is V = L x W x H.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide the number of cubic feet by 27. There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard because a yard is 3 feet long.
How many cubic meters are in one cubic foot?
One cubic foot equals exactly 0.028316846592 cubic meters. This factor comes from the definition of one foot as 0.3048 meters.
Can I enter dimensions in inches?
This calculator requires feet. Convert inches to feet by dividing by 12 before entering your numbers, or use an inches to feet converter first.
Is this tool free to use?
Yes. The cubic feet calculator runs entirely in your browser. No data is sent to a server and no account is required.
Does this work for round tanks or pipes?
No. This calculator uses the rectangular prism formula (L x W x H). Cylindrical shapes require a different formula involving pi and the radius.