CFT Stands for Cubic Feet
CFT is the abbreviation for Cubic Feet — a unit of volume measurement in the imperial system. One cubic foot is a cube that measures 1 foot (12 inches) on every side. It equals 1,728 cubic inches, 28.317 liters, or 7.481 US gallons.
The term CFT is used interchangeably with ft³ and cu ft. All three refer to the same unit. CFT is the most common abbreviation in construction, timber measurement, and South Asian markets.
CFT = Cubic Feet = ft³. One cubic foot equals a 12 × 12 × 12 inch cube. Use CFT when measuring volume in the imperial system — wood, concrete, room air volume, appliance capacity, and freight cargo.
The CFT Formula
For any rectangular object or space:
All three measurements must be in feet. If you have inches, divide by 12. If you have meters, multiply by 3.281.
Example: A room 12 ft × 10 ft × 8 ft
12 × 10 × 8 = 960 CFT
Example: A wooden log 6 ft long, 1 ft diameter
Use the cylinder formula: π × radius² × length
3.1416 × 0.5² × 6 = 4.71 CFT
Example: A box 24 × 18 × 12 inches
Convert to feet first: 2 × 1.5 × 1 = 3.0 CFT
CFT vs. Cubic Yards
Both CFT and cubic yards measure volume. The difference is scale:
| Feature | Cubic Feet (CFT) | Cubic Yards (CY) |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 ft | 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft |
| Relationship | 27 CFT = 1 CY | 1 CY = 27 CFT |
| Common uses | Appliances, wood, small volumes | Concrete, landscaping, bulk material |
| Ordering material | Rarely used | Standard unit |
| Appliance ratings | Standard unit | Never used |
Use CFT for appliance capacities (refrigerators, freezers), timber volume, room measurements, and small containers. Use cubic yards when ordering bulk materials like concrete, mulch, gravel, and topsoil from suppliers.
CFT Conversion Table
Use this table to convert cubic feet to other volume units:
| Cubic Feet (CFT) | Cubic Yards | Cubic Meters | Liters | US Gallons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.037 | 0.0283 | 28.32 | 7.48 |
| 5 | 0.185 | 0.1416 | 141.58 | 37.40 |
| 10 | 0.370 | 0.2832 | 283.17 | 74.81 |
| 27 | 1.000 | 0.7646 | 764.55 | 201.97 |
| 50 | 1.852 | 1.4159 | 1,415.84 | 374.03 |
| 100 | 3.704 | 2.8317 | 2,831.68 | 748.05 |
| 200 | 7.407 | 5.6634 | 5,663.37 | 1,496.10 |
| 500 | 18.519 | 14.1584 | 14,158.42 | 3,740.26 |
| 1,000 | 37.037 | 28.3168 | 28,316.85 | 7,480.52 |
Calculate CFT Instantly
Enter your dimensions in any unit and get an instant cubic feet result.
Open CFT Calculator →Where CFT Is Used
Timber and wood measurement
CFT is the standard volume unit for timber in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and many Southeast Asian countries. Lumber yards price wood per CFT. A log's CFT is calculated using the cylinder formula based on mid-girth and length.
Appliance capacity
Refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, and washing machines are rated in cubic feet. A standard refrigerator ranges from 18–25 CFT. A chest freezer ranges from 5–22 CFT.
Construction
Concrete volume is sometimes quoted in cubic feet before converting to cubic yards for ordering. One cubic yard of concrete equals 27 cubic feet.
HVAC and ventilation
Room volume in cubic feet determines the air conditioning capacity required. Multiply room CFT by the air changes per hour to size ductwork and equipment.
Shipping and freight
Domestic US shipping companies use cubic feet for freight classification. International shipping companies use CBM (cubic meters). Convert CFT to CBM by dividing by 35.315.
CFT for Common Objects
| Object | Typical Size | CFT |
|---|---|---|
| Standard refrigerator | 36 × 30 × 70 in | 18–22 |
| Chest freezer | 48 × 28 × 34 in | 7–15 |
| Microwave | 18 × 14 × 12 in | 1.0–2.2 |
| Standard moving box | 18 × 18 × 24 in | 4.5 |
| Concrete bag (80 lb) | Yields approx. | 0.60 |
| Bathtub | 60 × 30 × 14 in | 14.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full form of CFT?
Cubic Feet. CFT stands for Cubic Feet, a unit of volume measurement in the imperial system. Other notations include ft³ and cu ft.
Is CFT the same as cubic feet?
Yes. CFT, ft³, and cu ft all refer to the same unit — cubic feet. CFT is the most commonly used abbreviation in construction and timber industries.
How many CFT in a cubic yard?
27 CFT. A cubic yard is a 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft cube = 27 cubic feet.
How do I convert CFT to cubic meters?
Divide cubic feet by 35.3147. Example: 100 CFT ÷ 35.3147 = 2.832 cubic meters.
How do I convert CFT to liters?
Multiply cubic feet by 28.3168. Example: 10 CFT × 28.3168 = 283.17 liters.
What is the difference between CFT and CBM?
CFT (Cubic Feet) is imperial. CBM (Cubic Meters) is metric. 1 CBM = 35.3147 CFT. International shipping uses CBM; domestic US shipping uses CFT.
Free CFT Calculator
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Calculate CFT →Related Guides
- How Many Cubic Feet in a Cubic Yard? — The 27-cubic-feet breakdown
- How to Calculate Cubic Meters — Full metric volume guide
- What Is CBM? — Cubic meters in shipping explained
- Cubic Yards to Tons — Density table and conversion formula
- CFT Calculator — Instant cubic feet calculation tool
- Cubic Feet Calculator — Full-featured imperial volume calculator