How to calculate the volume in cubic feet? Explained with examples
Table of Contents
How to calculate the volume in cubic feet?
A cubic foot is a unit of volume that is equal to the volume of a cube with sides that are one foot long. It is often used to measure the volume of large objects, such as boxes, containers, and tanks, and is also sometimes used to measure the volume of air or gas.
One cubic foot is equivalent to approximately 28.3 liters, or about 0.0283 cubic meters. It is a non-metric unit of measurement that is primarily used in the United States and a few other countries, although the metric system is generally preferred for scientific and technical applications.
Further in this article, we will discuss the calculation of the volume of an object using the cubic feet formula, we’ll also discuss some real-life examples and steps to calculate the cubic feet
Definition of cubic feet
“The Cubic feet (symbol ft3) is an imperial and U.S. customary (non-metric) unit of volume, employed in the US and therefore the UK.”
Formula
The general formula for calculating the volume in cubic feet is:
Cubic feet = Length (feet) × dimension (feet) × Height (feet)
Calculating the Volume of an Object in Cubic Feet
To calculate the volume of an object in cubic feet, you can measure the length, width, and height of the object in feet and then multiply these three values together. For example, if you have a box that measures 2 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 4 feet tall, the volume of the box would be 2 * 3 * 4 = 24 cubic feet.
Real-life applications of cubic Feet
- Measuring the Volume of Bulk Materials: Cubic feet are often used to measure the volume of materials that are sold in bulk, such as sand, gravel, and wood chips. For example, a truckload of sand might be advertised as being 20 cubic yards, which is equivalent to about 20 x 27 = 540 cubic feet.
- Measuring the Capacity of Gas or Liquid Containers: Cubic feet can also be used to measure the volume of gases or liquids. For example, a gas tank might be advertised as having a capacity of 10 cubic feet, which would be equivalent to about 283 liters of gas.
Similarly, a water tank might be advertised as having a capacity of 50 cubic feet, which would be equivalent to about 1415 liters of water. - Calculating the Capacity of Storage Spaces: Cubic feet are also used to measure the capacity of storage spaces, such as storage units or shipping containers.
For example, a storage unit might be advertised as having a capacity of 100 cubic feet, which would be enough space to hold a large number of boxes or other items. - Using Cubic Feet in Engineering: In the field of engineering, cubic feet are often used to calculate the volume of reservoirs, tanks, and other structures. Engineers might use cubic feet to determine the amount of water that a reservoir can hold.
For example, to calculate the volume of gas that a tank can contain.
How to calculate cubic feet?
In this section, we will discuss how to calculate cubic feet. Generally, there are two different scenarios for calculating it. The first one is that when the quantities are given in feet then we can calculate them very easily. But if the quantities are in any other unit, then we have to convert it first.
Method 1
In this method, we will deal with the problems in which the units are in feet:
Example 1:
Calculate the volume of a rectangular prism if it has a length of 4 feet, a width of 2 feet, and a height of 3 feet.
Solution:
Step 1: Extract the given data:
Length = 4 feet
Width = 2 feet
Height = 3 feet
Step 2: Write the formula:
Volume in cubic feet = Length (feet) × dimension (feet) × Height (feet)
Step 3: Insert the values in the formula:
Volume = 4 feet * 2 feet * 3 feet.
Volume = 4 * 3 * 2
Volume = 24 cubic feet.
Example 2:
Calculate the volume of a cube if it has a length of 5 feet, a width of 4.5 feet, and a height of 5.5 feet.
Solution:
Step 1: Extract the given data:
Length = 5 feet
Width = 4.5 feet
Height = 5.5 feet
Step 2: Write the formula:
Volume in cubic feet = Length (feet) × dimension (feet) × Height (feet)
Step 3: Insert the values in the formula:
Volume = 5 feet * 4.5 feet * 5.5 feet.
Volume = 5 * 4.5 * 5.5
Volume = 123.75 cubic feet.
The volume in cubic feet can also be determined by using a cubic feet calculator by calculators.tech.
Method 2
In this method, we will deal with the problems in which the units aren’t in feet:
Example 1:
Compute the volume (in cubic feet) of a box if its height is 2.34 meters dimension is 2 meters, and the length is 1.8 meters.
Solution:
Step 1: Write down the given data.
Height = 2.34 meters
Width = 2 meter
Length = 1.8 meters
Step 2: Conversion (converting meters into feet)
Generally, “1 meter” = “3.281 feet”
Multiply all the given parameters by “3.281”
Length = 1.8 × 3.281 = 5.90 ft.
Width = 2 × 3.281 = 6.562 ft.
Height = 2.34 × 3.281 = 7.68 ft.
Step 3: Use the basic formula to perform the final calculation.
Volume = 5.90 * 6.562 * 7.68
Volume = 297.33 ft3
Conclusion
In conclusion, cubic feet are a useful unit of measurement that is widely used in a variety of applications, from measuring the volume of large objects and substances to calculating the capacity of storage spaces and engineering structures.
Whether you are a homeowner, a business owner, or an engineer, understanding how to calculate and use cubic feet can be an important skill to have.
