Home
Back
Cubic Feet Formula:
| From: | To: |
Cubic feet calculation is a measurement of volume used in freight and shipping to determine how much space a package or shipment will occupy. It's essential for pricing, loading, and transportation planning.
The calculator uses the cubic feet formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula converts cubic inches to cubic feet by dividing by 1728 (12 inches × 12 inches × 12 inches).
Details: Accurate cubic feet calculation is crucial for freight shipping as carriers often charge based on dimensional weight (which uses volume) rather than actual weight, especially for lightweight but bulky items.
Tips: Enter all dimensions in inches. Measure the length, width, and height at the longest points of your package. All values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: Why divide by 1728?
A: There are 1728 cubic inches in a cubic foot (12 × 12 × 12), so dividing by this number converts cubic inches to cubic feet.
Q2: How do I measure irregularly shaped items?
A: For irregular shapes, measure the length, width, and height at the extreme points to get the smallest rectangular box that would contain the item.
Q3: What's the difference between cubic feet and weight?
A: Cubic feet measures volume (space occupied), while weight measures mass. Carriers use the greater of actual weight or dimensional weight for pricing.
Q4: How is cubic feet used in shipping rates?
A: Many carriers calculate dimensional weight by dividing cubic volume by a specific factor (like 139 for inches), then charge based on whichever is greater - actual weight or dimensional weight.
Q5: Can I use feet instead of inches?
A: Yes, but the formula changes to Length × Width × Height (without division) when using feet. This calculator uses inches as it's the standard unit for freight measurements.