3 Ways to Calculate Cubic Feet

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-15 13:47

The "cubic" units of measure are three-dimensional units of measure and all refer to the volume of an object. Any measurement of a volume expressed in different units of measure can easily be converted to cubic feet. Calculating the volume of specific geometric shapes such as a rectangular prism or cylinder takes only a few simple steps. Regardless of whether you have to solve a math problem or calculate the volume of a space, for example a bathroom or a letterbox, the procedure to follow is always the same: multiply the area of the base by the height.. There is no standard symbol for cubic feet, but the most used are: ft³ and feet³.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Converting a Volume to Cubic Feet

Step 1. Divide the value under consideration by 1,728 to convert cubic inches to cubic feet

If you have calculated the volume of the solid or space you are studying in inches, you can convert the result into cubic feet quickly and easily. Remember that inches are a smaller unit of measurement than feet, so you will get much less cubic feet than cubic inches. To convert, divide the number of cubic inches by 1,728.

For example, if the volume under consideration is 6.912 inch³, dividing it by 1.728 you will get 4. Therefore the volume in question expressed in cubic feet is equal to 4.

Step 2. Multiply a volume in yards by the coefficient 27 to convert it to cubic feet

If you are working on a volume expressed in cubic yards, rather than cubic feet, you can convert by simply multiplying the volume by 27. In this case, remember that the yard is a unit larger than a foot, thus converting cubic yards in cubic feet you will get a higher value.

For example, if the volume of a solid or space is 1,000 cubic yards, multiply this by 27 to get the equivalent volume in cubic feet, which is 27,000

Step 3. Divide a volume in cubic centimeters by 28,316.85 to convert it to cubic feet

Even though centimeters are part of the metric system and feet are part of the imperial system, it is still possible to convert between these two units of measurement. Centimeters is a smaller unit of measurement than feet, so you'll get more cubic centimeters than cubic feet. Start with the volume in cubic centimeters and divide it by the conversion coefficient 28,316,85.

For example, if the volume of a solid or space is 500,000 cubic centimeters, divide this value by 28,316.85 to get the equivalent volume in cubic feet, i.e. 17.6573312356 which can be rounded to 17.66 feet cubes

Step 4. To convert a volume in cubic meters to cubic feet, multiply it by 35, 31

Converting a unit of measurement in the metric system to one in the British imperial system is not as difficult a procedure as you may think. To convert a measurement expressed in cubic meters into the equivalent in cubic feet (in this case the cubic meters are larger than the cubic feet) it is necessary to multiply it by the coefficient 35, 31.

For example, if the volume of a solid or space is 450 cubic meters, multiply this value by 35.31 to get the equivalent volume in cubic feet, which is 15,889.50

Method 2 of 3: Calculate the Volume of a Rectangular Prism

Step 1. Note that the mathematical formula for calculating the volume of a rectangular prism is as follows:

V = Bh. All solids with a square (cube) or rectangular base fall into the category of rectangular prisms. In the formula indicated, the variable V indicates the volume, the variable B indicates the area of the base of the prism, while h is the height of the solid. To get the volume of a rectangular prism, simply multiply the base area by the height.

Use the same unit of measurement to indicate the length of each side of the prism. If you want the volume to be expressed in cubic feet, measure in feet. If not, you will need to make all necessary conversions before you can calculate the volume

Step 2. Calculate the area of the base by multiplying the measurements of two different sides together (width and length)

In order to calculate the area of the base of a prism, you need to know its length (L) and width (W). Manually measure each side or refer to the documentation provided to you if any.

• For example, suppose you are analyzing a room 10 feet long and 5 feet wide. To calculate the floor surface area (the base of your prism), you will need to multiply 10 by 5 to get 50 ft.².
• In this case square feet are used because they indicate that the value in question refers to the area of a flat surface.

Step 3. Multiply the base area by the height to get the volume

Now that you know the area of the prism you are studying, measure its height or refer to the documentation that was provided to you if any. At this point complete the work by multiplying the area of the base by the height of the prism, obtaining as a final result the volume of the solid or space under examination.

Continuing with the previous example, if the room height is 15 feet, multiply this by 50 feet² (i.e. the area of the floor surface that you calculated in the previous step). At this point you can say that the volume of the room in question is 750 ft³.

Method 3 of 3: Calculate the Volume of a Cylinder

Step 1. To calculate the volume of a cylinder use the following formula:

V = Bh. In this formula the variable V indicates the volume, the variable B indicates the area of the base of the solid while h is the height. Again, to calculate the volume of a cylinder all you have to do is simply multiply the base area by the height.

Before starting, make all necessary measurements in feet or convert your data into feet if necessary to obtain a volume expressed in cubic feet. Alternatively, you can perform the calculations using the data expressed in the unit of measurement provided and then convert the final result into cubic feet

Step 2. Calculate the surface area of the cylinder base using the following formula:

πr². To find the length of the radius of the base of the cylinder in question, refer to the documentation that was provided to you if present or take the measurement manually if you are working with a solid or a real three-dimensional space. Since in this case the base is represented by a circle, to calculate its area you will have to square the length of the radius and multiply the result by the mathematical constant π which is equal to 3, 14.

• For example, if you need to dig a circular hole to install a mailbox and you know the mailbox radius is 0.5 feet, start by multiplying 0.5 by 0.5 to get 0.25 feet.². Now multiply 0.25 ft² for 3.44 resulting in 0.785 ft².
• In this case square feet are used because they indicate that the value in question refers to the area of a flat surface (and is also the result of squaring the radius of the base).
• If, instead of knowing the radius of the base of the cylinder under consideration, you know the diameter, divide this value by two to get the radius. For example, the radius of a circle with a diameter of 12 units is equal to 6 units.

Step 3. Multiply the base area by the height to get the volume

Now that you know the area of the cylinder you are studying, measure its height or refer to the documentation that was provided to you if any. At this point complete the work by multiplying the area of the base by the height of the cylinder, obtaining as a final result the volume of the solid or space under examination.

Continuing with the previous example, take into consideration the area calculated in the last step i.e. 0.785 ft². If you need the excavation to install the mailbox to be 2 feet deep, it means that the height of the cylinder in question is 2 feet. In this case multiply 2 by 0.785 ft² resulting in a volume of 1.57 ft³.