Cubic Meter Calculator
Calculate volume in cubic meters and convert to other units
Table of Contents
How to Use
- Select your unit of measurement (meters, centimeters, feet, or inches)
- Enter the length, width, and height of your space or object
- Click calculate to see the volume in multiple units
- View results in cubic meters, cubic feet, liters, and gallons
What is a Cubic Meter?
A cubic meter (m³) is the SI unit of volume. It represents the volume of a cube with edges measuring exactly one meter in length. One cubic meter equals 1,000 liters or approximately 35.31 cubic feet.
Cubic meters are commonly used in construction, shipping, water management, and any field requiring precise volume measurements of large spaces or quantities.
Volume Calculation Formula
For rectangular spaces, volume is calculated using the formula: Volume = Length × Width × Height. All dimensions must be in the same unit before multiplying.
For example, a room that is 5 meters long, 4 meters wide, and 3 meters high has a volume of 5 × 4 × 3 = 60 cubic meters.
Common Volume Conversions
| From | To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic Meters | Cubic Feet | 35.3147 |
| Cubic Meters | Liters | 1,000 |
| Cubic Meters | US Gallons | 264.172 |
| Cubic Feet | Cubic Meters | 0.0283168 |
| Liters | Cubic Meters | 0.001 |
Practical Applications
- Construction: Calculating concrete, gravel, or soil needed for projects
- Shipping: Determining freight charges based on volumetric weight
- Storage: Planning warehouse space and container capacity
- Water Management: Measuring reservoir capacity and water flow
- HVAC: Sizing air conditioning and heating systems for rooms
- Moving: Estimating moving truck size needed for furniture and belongings
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many liters are in a cubic meter?
- There are exactly 1,000 liters in one cubic meter. This makes conversion between these units straightforward: multiply cubic meters by 1,000 to get liters, or divide liters by 1,000 to get cubic meters.
- How do I calculate cubic meters for irregular shapes?
- For irregular shapes, divide the space into regular rectangular sections, calculate the volume of each section separately, then add them together. For complex shapes, you may need specialized formulas or professional measurement tools.
- What's the difference between cubic meters and square meters?
- Square meters (m²) measure area (2D surface), while cubic meters (m³) measure volume (3D space). Square meters use length × width, while cubic meters use length × width × height.
- How do shipping companies use cubic meters?
- Shipping companies use cubic meters to calculate volumetric weight, which determines freight charges. They compare volumetric weight with actual weight and charge based on whichever is greater to account for lightweight but bulky items.