Enter Box Dimensions
Calculation Result
With this cubic feet calculator, you can:
Explore our free tools to calculate CBM, volumetric weight, and container capacity for different types of shipments.
- Calculate volume in cubic feet (ft³) and cubic meters (m³)
- Get accurate dimensional weight for shipping
- Add multiple products for combined CBM and weight calculation
- Estimate how many packages fit inside 20 ft, 40 ft, and 40 ft High Cube containers
Use this free online cubic feet calculator to simplify your cargo planning, shipping estimates, and freight forwarding.
How to Calculate Cubic Feet – Step-by-Step Guide
- Select your unit of measurement – choose from feet, inches, yards, mm, cm or meters.
- Enter your package details – input length × width × height along with the quantity of items.
- Get instant results – see total volume in cubic feet (ft³) and cubic meters (m³), volumetric weight, and how many items can fit into standard containers (20 ft, 40 ft, and 40 ft High Cube).
Quick Reference: 1 cubic meter (m³) = 35.315 cubic feet (ft³) • 1 cubic foot = 0.0283 cubic meters (m³)
Volume Calculation Formula in Cubic Feet Calculator
To calculate the volume in cubic feet (ft3), use:
Formula: Cubic Feet (ft3) = (Length (inches) × Width (inches) × Height (inches)) ÷ 1728
Why 1728? 1 cubic foot equals 12 × 12 × 12 = 1728 cubic inches (in3).
Example
- Length = 24 in
- Width = 12 in
- Height = 36 in
Calculation:
(24 × 12 × 36) ÷ 1728 = 6 ft3
Result: 6 cubic feet (ft3)
Understand How the Calculator Works
| Input | Description |
|---|---|
| Length (inch) | Your package length in inches |
| Breadth (inch) | Your package breadth in inches |
| Height (inch) | Your package height in inches |
| Weight (lb) | Your package weight in pounds |
| Quantity | Number of packages; affects Weight, Volume Weight, and shipment volume |
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight (kg/lbs) | Shipment weight in kilograms or pounds |
| Volume Weight (kg/lbs) | Volume (dimensional) weight of shipment in kilograms or pounds |
| Volume (m³/ft³) | Shipment volume in cubic meters or cubic feet |
| 20 FT min/max | Approx min & max number of packages that can fit in a standard 20 FT container |
| 40 FT min/max | Approx min & max number of packages that can fit in a standard 40 FT container |
| 40 FT HC min/max | Approx min & max number of packages that can fit in a standard 40 FT High Cube container |
Standard Container Sizes in Cubic Feet
Use these approximate internal dimensions and capacities as a guide for planning your shipments.
| Container Type | Internal Dimensions (L × W × H) | Approx. Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft Standard | 19.4 ft × 7.7 ft × 7.9 ft | ≈ 1,170 ft³ (≈ 33.2 m³) |
| 40 ft Standard | 39.5 ft × 7.7 ft × 7.9 ft | ≈ 2,390 ft³ (≈ 67.7 m³) |
| 40 ft High Cube | 39.5 ft × 7.7 ft × 8.8 ft | ≈ 2,690 ft³ (≈ 76.2 m³) |
Values are approximate and may vary by manufacturer and design. Always confirm exact internal dimensions with your container or equipment provider.
How to Calculate cubic feet
Formula for Calculating cubic feet
To find the volume of a box-shaped object, use the
formula:
If all dimensions are in feet, the result will be in cubic feet.
Volume = length x width x height
Here the Volume is in cubic feet and dimensions (length x width x height are in “Feet”)
Practical Applications of cubic feet Calculation
Cubic feet calculations are widely used in various real-world applications, including:
- Home & Appliances
- Estimating the capacity of refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens to ensure proper fit in kitchens.
- Determining storage space in cabinets, closets, and sheds.
- Moving & Shipping
- Calculating box volumes for packing and shipping to estimate required truck or container space.
- Determining how much luggage or cargo can fit in a vehicle, trailer, or moving truck.
- Construction & Renovation
- Measuring concrete, sand, or gravel needed for foundations, driveways, and landscaping.
- Estimating paint, insulation, or drywall coverage for rooms and buildings.
- Gardening & Landscaping
- Calculating the amount of soil, mulch, or compost needed for garden beds and planters.
- Estimating water volume for ponds, fountains, and irrigation systems.
- Storage & Warehousing
- Assessing warehouse storage capacity for goods and inventory management.
- Determining the space required for stacking boxes, pallets, or shelving units.
- Water & Liquid Storage
- Estimating water volume in pools, tanks, or aquariums (often converted to gallons).
- Measuring the storage capacity of barrels and cisterns for rainwater collection.
- HVAC & Airflow Systems
- Calculating the air volume in a room for proper HVAC system sizing and ventilation.
- Determining the capacity of air ducts and vents to ensure efficient air circulation.
- Fuel & Gas Storage
- Measuring propane, natural gas, or other fuel storage tanks for consumption estimates.
- Calculating engine displacement volumes for vehicles and machinery.
Cubic feet calculations simplify planning, resource allocation, and cost estimation across multiple industries.
How to Convert Other Units to cubic feet
If the dimensions are not in feet, convert them before calculating the volume. Use the following conversions:
- Inches to feet: Divide by 12.
- Yards to feet: Multiply by 3.
- Centimeters to feet: Divide by 30.48.
- Meters to feet: Multiply by 3.281.
Alternatively, calculate the volume in the given units first, then convert:
- Inches to cubic feet: Divide by 1,728.
- Yards to cubic feet: Multiply by 27.
- Centimeters to cubic feet: Divide by 28,316.847.
- Meters to cubic feet: Multiply by 35.315.
For mixed-unit dimensions, converting to feet before calculation is recommended to prevent errors.
Volume & Unit Conversion Formulas
| Measurement Type | Formula / Tip |
|---|---|
| Cubic Feet (ft³) | ft × ft × ft |
| Inches → ft³ | (in × in × in) ÷ 1,728 |
| Meters → ft³ | (m³ × 35.315) |
| Yards → ft³ | yd³ × 27 |
| Inches → feet (separate) | Divide inches by 12 to convert to feet |
Example: Converting Inches to cubic feet
Consider an oven with dimensions:
- Width: 21 inches
- Height: 12 inches
- Depth: 17 inches
Method 1: Convert Inches to Feet First
Step: 1
First, we will convert the dimension Length, Width & Height from “Inch” to “Feet”
Length: 21 inches divided by 12 = 1.75 Feet
Width: 12 inches divided by 12 = 1 Feet
Height: 17 inches divided by 12 = 1.41 Feet
So, now the converted dimensions are 1.75 ft x 1 ft x 1.41 ft = 2.47 cubic feet
Method 2: Convert After Multiplication
Volume in Cubic Inch = 21 x 12 x 17 = 4284 Cubic Inch
Volume in cubic feet = 4284 / 1728 = 2.47 cubic feet
Both methods yield the same result: 2.47 ft³.
Calculating cubic Feet of Soil
To determine the cubic feet of soil needed:
- Find the area by multiplying length and width. Example: 20 yards × 6 yards = 120 yd²
- Multiply by depth to get volume. Example: 120 yd² × 0.5 yd = 60 yd³
- Convert to cubic feet by multiplying by 27.
Volume = 60 yd³ x 27 = 1620 cubic feet
Need Help? – FAQs
- How do I calculate cubic feet for a box or shipment?
Measure the length, width, and height in feet (or convert inches to feet), then multiply them together. The result is the total cubic feet (ft³). For example, a box measuring 2 ft × 1.5 ft × 1 ft equals 3 cubic feet.
👉 Tip: If you’re calculating for shipping, always compare actual weight vs. volumetric weight—the higher one will usually be the chargeable weight.
- How do I convert cubic feet to cubic meters (CBM)?
To convert cubic feet to cubic meters, multiply the cubic feet value by 0.0283168. For example, 100 ft³ × 0.0283168 = 2.83 CBM.
👉 The calculator does this automatically, but you can use the formula if you need a quick manual conversion.
- How many cubic feet are in a 40-foot container?
A standard 40 ft shipping container holds about 2,390 cubic feet (67.7 CBM), while a 40 ft High Cube container holds about 2,690 cubic feet (76.2 CBM).
👉 These values can vary slightly by manufacturer, but they’re the standard reference for shipping calculations.
- Can I calculate cubic feet from inches?
Yes. Divide each dimension in inches by 12 to convert to feet, then multiply the three values. For example, 24 × 18 × 12 inches = 3 cubic feet.
- Is this cubic feet calculator suitable for Amazon FBA and
U.S. freight?
Yes. This calculator is designed for U.S. shipping, freight, and Amazon FBA packaging. It converts between feet, inches, and CBM, and helps estimate dimensional weight for LTL or air cargo.