Accurate volume conversion tool for cubic feet, litres, cubic metres, gallons, and more
Convert cubic feet to litres instantly with precise calculations. Includes bidirectional conversion and detailed breakdowns for all volume units in 2026.
Professional volume conversion for plumbing, construction, aquariums, and everyday use
Convert cubic feet to litres with full precision using the exact conversion factor of 28.316846592 litres per cubic foot. Our tool delivers reliable results for any volume — from small tank measurements to large industrial and construction volumes — instantly and completely free.
Switch seamlessly between cubic feet to litres and litres to cubic feet conversion modes. Get instant results in multiple volume units including cubic metres, cubic yards, US gallons, and millilitres all from a single input value without needing multiple separate tools.
Perfect for plumbing, aquarium sizing, swimming pool calculations, HVAC duct volume, concrete estimation, water tank capacity, and any situation requiring conversions between imperial and metric volume systems. Trusted by contractors, engineers, hobbyists, and students in 2026.
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Converting cubic feet to litres bridges the gap between the imperial measurement system — the dominant system for volume in the United States and parts of the United Kingdom — and the metric system used by the vast majority of countries worldwide. One cubic foot is defined as the volume of a cube with sides of exactly 1 foot (0.3048 metres), and it equals precisely 28.316846592 litres.
This conversion is used daily across dozens of industries. A plumber sizing a hot water tank, an engineer calculating duct airflow in CFM, or an aquarist designing a fish tank all need to convert between cubic feet and litres. Since 1 litre = 1 cubic decimetre and the metre-foot relationship is exact, the cubic feet to litres conversion factor is also mathematically exact — making it one of the most reliable and clean imperial-to-metric volume conversions available.
Example: 5 ft³ = 5 × 28.3168 = 141.584 litres | 100 litres = 100 ÷ 28.3168 = 3.531 ft³
All values represent the exact equivalent of 1 cubic foot in different volume units.
Use this reference table for quick cubic feet to litres lookups. Common values used in plumbing, aquariums, HVAC, construction, and water storage calculations are listed for instant access in 2026.
| Cubic Feet (ft³) | Litres (L) | Cubic Metres (m³) | US Gallons | Cubic Yards (yd³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 ft³ | 14.158 L | 0.01416 m³ | 3.741 gal | 0.01852 yd³ |
| 1 ft³ | 28.317 L | 0.02832 m³ | 7.481 gal | 0.03704 yd³ |
| 2 ft³ | 56.634 L | 0.05663 m³ | 14.961 gal | 0.07407 yd³ |
| 3 ft³ | 84.951 L | 0.08495 m³ | 22.442 gal | 0.11111 yd³ |
| 5 ft³ | 141.584 L | 0.14158 m³ | 37.403 gal | 0.18519 yd³ |
| 10 ft³ | 283.168 L | 0.28317 m³ | 74.805 gal | 0.37037 yd³ |
| 20 ft³ | 566.337 L | 0.56634 m³ | 149.610 gal | 0.74074 yd³ |
| 27 ft³ | 764.555 L | 0.76455 m³ | 201.974 gal | 1.000 yd³ |
| 50 ft³ | 1,415.842 L | 1.41584 m³ | 374.026 gal | 1.85185 yd³ |
| 100 ft³ | 2,831.685 L | 2.83168 m³ | 748.052 gal | 3.70370 yd³ |
| 500 ft³ | 14,158.423 L | 14.15842 m³ | 3,740.259 gal | 18.51852 yd³ |
The cubic feet to litres conversion requires multiplying by the exact factor of 28.316846592. While this is not a round number, it is a fixed and exact value, making every calculation fully reliable and repeatable.
A cubic foot (ft³) is a unit of volume in the US customary and imperial systems. It equals the volume of a cube with sides measuring exactly 1 foot (0.3048 m). One cubic foot contains 1,728 cubic inches, 28.317 litres, or approximately 7.481 US gallons. It is widely used in construction, real estate, and HVAC in the United States.
The litre (symbol: L) is the standard metric unit of volume, defined as exactly 1 cubic decimetre (0.001 m³). One litre equals 1,000 millilitres and approximately 0.2642 US gallons. Litres are used globally for liquids, food products, fuel, and scientific measurement, making them the most universally recognised volume unit in everyday life worldwide.
Aquarists in the US typically measure fish tanks in gallons or cubic feet, while those in the rest of the world use litres. A standard 1 ft³ tank holds approximately 28.317 litres. A popular 55-gallon aquarium is about 7.35 ft³ or 208.2 litres. Converting between these units ensures correct stocking levels, filtration ratings, and chemical dosing for healthy aquatic environments.
Plumbers and water engineers routinely convert cubic feet to litres when sizing hot water systems, pressure tanks, and storage vessels. A typical residential hot water tank of 2 ft³ holds about 56.6 litres. Water flow rates measured in cubic feet per second (CFS) must also be converted to litres per second for international engineering specifications and documentation.
In HVAC engineering, airflow is commonly measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) in the United States and litres per second (L/s) or cubic metres per hour (m³/h) internationally. Converting between these units is essential when selecting equipment, writing specifications, or comparing products from different regional manufacturers for commercial and residential ventilation systems.
Pool builders in the US calculate pool volumes in cubic feet or gallons, while metric countries use litres or cubic metres. A backyard pool measuring 12 ft × 24 ft × 4 ft deep has a volume of 1,152 ft³ = 32,620 litres. Getting the litre equivalent right is essential for purchasing the correct amount of chlorine, pH adjusters, and other pool chemicals for safe swimming.
For rough estimates, many people use the approximation of 28.3 litres per cubic foot, which is close enough for most everyday purposes. However, for scientific, engineering, or legal measurement contexts, always use the full exact value of 28.316846592 litres per cubic foot. When dealing with large volumes — such as municipal water supply or industrial fluid storage — the difference from rounding can amount to thousands of litres.
These are the most frequently searched cubic feet to litres conversions used in home improvement, aquariums, construction, and engineering projects worldwide.
Understanding the relationship between cubic feet and litres is essential for anyone working across US and international measurement systems. Explore our complete guide to imperial and metric volume conversions for construction, plumbing, and engineering.
Explore Converters →Whether you are sizing an aquarium, a rainwater tank, or a hot water cylinder, knowing your volume in both cubic feet and litres ensures you select the right equipment and order correct quantities of chemicals, treatments, and additives for your system.
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