How to Use the Cubic to Feet Calculator
Our cubic to feet calculator is designed to help you determine volume in cubic feet (ft³) based on various shapes or by converting other volume measurements. Whether you are measuring mulch for a garden, concrete for a driveway, or internal storage space, finding the cubic feet is a critical step in project planning.
To use this tool, simply select your calculation method from the dropdown menu, enter your known values, and click "Calculate."
- Rectangular Volume
- Use this for boxes, rooms, or rectangular garden beds. Enter the length, width, and height in feet.
- Cylindrical Volume
- Ideal for pipes, tanks, or circular columns. You will need the radius (half the diameter) and the total height.
- Unit Conversions
- Quickly convert cubic yards (common for landscaping) or cubic inches (common for small mechanical parts) into standard cubic feet.
The Formula for Cubic Feet
Calculating cubic feet depends on the object's geometry or the unit you are starting with. The most common formulas used by this cubic to feet calculator are:
Rectangular: Volume (ft³) = Length × Width × Height
Cylindrical: Volume (ft³) = π × r² × h
From Yards: ft³ = Cubic Yards × 27
- π (Pi): Approximately 3.14159
- r (Radius): Half of the cylinder's diameter
- h (Height): The vertical distance or depth of the object
- 27: The number of cubic feet in a single cubic yard
Calculation Example
Example: Calculating Garden Soil
Imagine you have a raised garden bed that is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 1.5 feet deep. You need to know how many cubic feet of soil to buy.
Step-by-step solution:
- Identify Length = 8 ft
- Identify Width = 4 ft
- Identify Height (Depth) = 1.5 ft
- Apply formula: 8 × 4 × 1.5
- Result: 32 × 1.5 = 48 cubic feet
If the nursery only sells soil by the cubic yard, you would divide your result (48) by 27 to get approximately 1.78 cubic yards.
Common Conversions
| Unit | Equivalent in Cubic Feet |
|---|---|
| 1 Cubic Yard | 27 Cubic Feet |
| 1,728 Cubic Inches | 1 Cubic Foot |
| 1 Cubic Meter | ~35.314 Cubic Feet |
| 100 Board Feet (Lumber) | 8.33 Cubic Feet |
Common Questions
What if my measurements are in inches?
If your measurements are in inches, first convert them to feet by dividing by 12. For example, 6 inches is 0.5 feet. If you calculate the total cubic inches first, you must divide the final result by 1,728 (which is 12 x 12 x 12) to get the cubic feet.
How many cubic feet are in a yard of concrete?
When construction workers refer to a "yard" of concrete, they mean one cubic yard. There are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard of concrete.
Is cubic feet the same as square feet?
No. Square feet measures area (two dimensions: length x width), while cubic feet measures volume (three dimensions: length x width x height). To convert square feet to cubic feet, you must multiply the square footage by the thickness or height of the object in feet.