How this calculator works
A cubic metre is the volume of a cube one metre on every side. For a rectangular space the volume is length times width times height, with all three sides expressed in the same unit. Each side has its own unit selector here, so a room measured as 3.5 m by 250 cm by 2.4 m can be entered directly. The calculator converts every side to metres, multiplies, and then offers the volume in cubic metres, litres, cubic feet, US gallons, imperial gallons and cubic inches.
Formula
volume = length x width x height. 1 m3 = 1,000 L = 1,000,000 mL. 1 m3 = 35.3147 ft3 = 264.172 US gallons = 219.969 imperial gallons. 1 cm3 = 0.000001 m3.
Worked example
A space 2 m by 1 m by 0.5 m has a volume of 1 m3, which is 1,000 L or 35.3147 ft3. A 250 cm by 200 cm by 100 cm box is 2.5 m x 2 m x 1 m = 5 m3. A 1 m cube is 1 m3 and 1,000 L, the same as a 1,000 L water tank filled to the top.
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Frequently asked questions
How many litres are in a cubic metre?
Exactly 1,000. A litre is defined as one cubic decimetre, and a metre is ten decimetres, so a cubic metre contains 10 x 10 x 10 = 1,000 litres.
Can I enter centimetres and metres together?
Yes. Each side has its own unit selector. A measurement of 250 cm can be entered in centimetres even when the other sides are in metres, because every side is converted to metres before multiplying.
How do I convert cubic metres to cubic feet?
Multiply by 35.3146667, which is 1 / 0.028316846592. A cubic metre is a little over 35 cubic feet.
Does this work for a cylinder or a tank?
No. This page multiplies three perpendicular sides, so it assumes a rectangular box. A cylinder needs its radius and height and a different formula.