What is a cubic foot and how to calculate it?

The cubature unit plays a decisive role in our way of life. If we consider our day-to-day work, we are more likely to hear this word as we tend to build a replacement home, the worker, and therefore the contractor, usually says “cubic feet or isometric feet” throughout their job.

The term isometric feet are commonly used in the numerical subjects of physics and arithmetic. In this Civil Experience article, we will deal with the essential definition of cubic feet, and how to calculate and convert them using various examples. We will also describe the foot square foot and cubic foot.

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Definition of Cubic Foot

A cubic foot is a unit of measurement that indicates the volume of a cube whose sides are each equal to one foot (1 foot = 12 inches 1 foot = 12 inches) in length. Side measurements include the height, width, and length of the cube.

A cubic foot is represented in two ways: ft3 or cu ft. For example, a volume of 8 ft3 or 8 cu ft.

What are Foot, Square Foot, and Cubic Foot?

An understanding of the different dimensions is necessary to truly understand cubic feet, the size of a cubic foot, and how to measure cubic feet.

There are three known sizes which include a foot size. Dimensions expand to include additional measures with each new dimension.

1-D

One-dimensional figures are lines that have lengths measured in at least one direction and lie in a plane. A foot is a linear measurement that’s why it is considered one-dimensional.

2-D

Two-dimensional figures are made up of measurements of length and width.

A square foot is the unit of measurement for two-dimensional shapes. A square foot is a square that measures one foot or twelve inches long and wide. The area is the amount of space the two-dimensional figure occupies in a flat plane.

The area of a square is found by multiplying the length and the width, which gives an area of 1 square foot.

3-D

Three-dimensional figures are made up of three parts; length, width, and height. These parts are the three different sizes.

A cube is generally made up of six equal in size two-dimensional squares. A cube that measures one foot in size by its length, width, and height creates a three-dimensional cubic foot.

The Formula of cubic feet

Since a cubic foot is 1 foot in length, width, and height, the formula for cubic feet is:

V = lwh

  • V: Volume
  • L: Length
  • W: Width
  • H: Height

Length, width, and height must be in feet

What Is A Cubic Foot And How To Calculate It?
What is a cubic foot and how to calculate it?

How to find cubic feet?

The examples below will help you understand the method of calculating the cubic feet.

Example 1: (Cube-shaped cardboard box)

There are several options for the size of cardboard boxes. Determining the volume of each box ensures that the correct size is purchased for the need. There is a cube-shaped cardboard box that is 4 feet long. Based on the properties of a cube, we can determine that the width is 4 feet and the height is 4 feet.

Sol:

Step 1: Extract the given data.

Length = 4 feet
Width = 4 feet
Height = 4 feet

Step 2: To calculate cubic feet, use the cubic feet formula.

V = l*w*h

Step 3: Put the values in the formula.

V = 4*4*4

V = 64 cu ft. or 64 ft3

A cubic feet calculator can also be used to find the volume in a couple of seconds.

Cubic Feet Calculator
What is a cubic foot and how to calculate it?

In the above example, we discussed the problem in which the dimensions were in feet, in case the dimensions are given in any other unit then you should have to convert them first into feet.

If the data (Length width and height) is given in any other unit.

Example 2: Calculate the volume (in cubic feet) of a carton of height 0.6 meters, Length of 0.4 meters, and width of 0.5 meters.

Solution:

Step 1: Extract the given data.

Length = 0.40 meters
Width = 0.50 meters
Height = 0.60 meters  

Formula:

Volume (Cubic feet) = Length (feet) * Height (feet) * Width (feet)

Step 2: Conversion (we have to convert the given data into feet)

Before putting these values in the formula, we have to convert the values first.

According to SI “1 m” equals “3.281 ft.”

We should multiply all values by “3.281”.

Length= 0.40 * 3.281 = 1.312 ft.

Width= 0.50 * 3.281 = 1.64 ft.

Height= 0.60 * 3.281 = 1.969 ft.

Step 3: Calculations (Put the values in the formula)

Volume = Length (feet) * Height (feet) * Width (feet)

Volume = 1.312 * 1.64 * 1.969

 Volume = 4.23665792 ft3

Example 3:

Calculate the volume (in cubic feet) of a cage of the height of 1.3 yards, Length of 0.95 yards, and width of 2 yards.

Solution:

Length = 0.95 yards
Width = 2 yards
Height = 1.3 yards  

Formula:

Volume (Cubic feet) = Length (feet) * Height (feet) * Width (feet)

Before putting these values in the formula, we have to convert the values first.

∴“1 yard” is equal to “3 feet”

We will multiply all values by “3” to convert them into feet

Conversion:

Length= 0.95 * 3 = 2.85 ft.

Width= 2 * 3 = 6 ft.

Height= 1.3 * 3 = 3.9 ft.

Calculations:

Volume = 2.85 ft. * 6 ft. * 3.9 ft.

Volume = 66.69 ft3

Conclusion

In this Civil Experience article, we have studied the definition of feet, square feet, and cubic feet. We have also discussed the basic concept of cubic feet and the uses of this term. We explained the method of finding the volume in cubic feet with the assistance of examples.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cubic foot and how to calculate it?

cubic foot is a unit of measurement that indicates the volume of a cube whose sides are each equal to one foot (1 foot = 12 inches 1 foot = 12 inches) in length. Side measurements include the height, width, and length of the cube.

What are Foot, Square Foot, and Cubic Foot?

An understanding of the different dimensions is necessary to truly understand cubic feet, the size of a cubic foot, and how to measure cubic feet.

What is the Formula for cubic feet?

Since a cubic foot is 1 foot in length, width, and height, the formula for cubic feet is: V = lwh but read the full guide.

Author Aakash Dudhat

It is my pleasure to welcome you to civilexperiences.com, a website created and managed by Dudhat Aakash. In addition to having a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

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