Convert cubic feet (CFT or CBF) to cubic meters (CBM). 1 cubic foot = 0.0283168 CBM, and 100 cubic feet = 2.83 CBM.
Cubic meters (CBM)
2.8317m³
Rule: 1 ft³ = 0.02831685 m³
To convert CFT to CBM, divide the cubic feet by 35.3147, or multiply them by 0.0283168. One cubic foot is 0.3048 × 0.3048 × 0.3048 = 0.0283168 cubic meters.
Formula: CBM = CFT ÷ 35.3147 (or CFT × 0.0283168)
A US supplier lists a shipment at 850 cubic feet. Your forwarder quotes in CBM: 850 ÷ 35.3147 = 24.07 CBM. That fits in a 20 ft container, which holds about 33 CBM.
| CFT (ft³) | CBM (m³) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0283 |
| 10 | 0.2832 |
| 35.31 | 1.0000 |
| 50 | 1.4158 |
| 100 | 2.8317 |
| 250 | 7.0792 |
| 500 | 14.1584 |
| 1,000 | 28.3168 |
| 1,500 | 42.4753 |
| 2,000 | 56.6337 |
Yes. CBF (cubic feet), CFT and cu ft are three ways of writing the same unit, so CBF to CBM uses the same factor: divide by 35.3147. You will see CBF on US moving and storage quotes and CFT on many supplier packing lists.
If your cartons are measured in inches, cubic feet = length × width × height ÷ 1,728 (because 12 × 12 × 12 = 1,728 cubic inches in a cubic foot). A 24 × 16 × 12 inch carton is 4,608 ÷ 1,728 = 2.67 cubic feet, or 0.0755 CBM. For a full packing list with several carton sizes, the CBM calculator accepts inches and gives both units.
International sea freight is priced per CBM, and container capacities are published in CBM, so convert before you ask for an LCL quote or compare your load with container sizes. To convert the other way, use the CBM to CFT converter.
1 cubic foot equals 0.0283168 CBM. In other words, about 35.31 cubic feet make one cubic meter.
Divide cubic feet by 35.3147. For example 500 CFT ÷ 35.3147 = 14.16 CBM.
CBF means cubic feet, the same as CFT. Divide by 35.3147: 1,000 CBF is 28.32 CBM.
100 cubic feet is 2.83 CBM.
Multiply length × width × height in inches and divide by 1,728. Then divide by 35.3147 if you need CBM.