Shipping & packaging
How to Calculate Box Volume in Cubic Feet
Cubic feet is how box capacity, storage space, and freight volume are usually talked about in the US, but boxes are usually measured in inches. The conversion is one division — by 1,728 — once you know where the number comes from.
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Measure in one unit
Measure length, width, and height in the same unit. Mixed measurements, such as 1 ft 6 in, are easiest converted to inches first: 18 in.
Multiply, then divide by 1,728
Length × width × height in inches gives cubic inches. A cubic foot is 12 × 12 × 12 = 1,728 in³, so divide by 1,728 for cubic feet.
| Box | Cubic inches | Cubic feet |
|---|---|---|
| 12 × 12 × 12 in | 1,728 in³ | 1 ft³ |
| 16 × 12 × 12 in | 2,304 in³ | 1.333 ft³ |
| 18 × 18 × 16 in | 5,184 in³ | 3 ft³ |
| 24 × 18 × 18 in | 7,776 in³ | 4.5 ft³ |
Measured in feet already
If the box is measured in feet, multiply directly: a 2 × 1.5 × 1.5 ft box is 4.5 ft³ — the same as the 24 × 18 × 18 in box.
The metric version
In centimeters, multiply to get cubic centimeters and divide by 1,000,000 for cubic meters. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm box is 96,000 cm³, which is 0.096 m³, or 96 liters.
Common slips
- Dividing by 12 instead of 1,728: a cubic foot is 12 inches in all three directions.
- Mixing inches and feet in the same multiplication.
- Using outside measurements when you want what the box holds.
Box Volume in Cubic Feet FAQ
- How do I convert box inches to cubic feet?
- Multiply length × width × height in inches and divide by 1,728.
- How many cubic feet is an 18 × 18 × 16 box?
- 5,184 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 3 cubic feet.
- Why 1,728?
- A cubic foot is 12 in × 12 in × 12 in, which is 1,728 cubic inches.
- How do I get cubic meters from centimeters?
- Multiply the three sides in centimeters and divide by 1,000,000. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm box is 0.096 m³.
- How many liters is a cubic foot?
- About 28.32 liters.
Related guides
- Inside vs Outside DimensionsThe difference between a box’s inside and outside dimensions, which to use for packing, storage, and shipping, and how wall thickness changes the volume.
- Totalling Shipment VolumeHow to add up the volume of a shipment made of several box sizes, in cubic feet and cubic meters, and what the total does and doesn’t tell you.
Open the tool
Jump into Box Volume Calculator when you are ready to process your files.
