Cubic Metres Calculator
Calculate volume from dimensions and convert between cubic metres, cubic feet, cubic yards, litres, and gallons. Essential for concrete, excavation, and material quantity calculations.
Volume in Construction
Common Volume Formulas
Cuboid: V = length × width × height
Cylinder: V = π × radius² × height
Sphere: V = (4/3) × π × radius³
Cone: V = (1/3) × π × radius² × height
Pyramid: V = (1/3) × base × height
Volume Conversions
| From | To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| 1 m³ | Litres | 1,000 |
| 1 m³ | ft³ | 35.315 |
| 1 m³ | yd³ | 1.308 |
| 1 yd³ | m³ | 0.765 |
| 1 gallon (UK) | Litres | 4.546 |
| 1 gallon (US) | Litres | 3.785 |
Concrete Volume Examples
| Application | Dimensions | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Small shed base | 2m × 2m × 100mm | 0.4 m³ |
| Garage base | 5m × 4m × 150mm | 3.0 m³ |
| Garden wall footing | 10m × 0.4m × 300mm | 1.2 m³ |
| Driveway (small) | 6m × 3m × 100mm | 1.8 m³ |
Excavation and Bulking
When soil is excavated, it expands (bulks). This affects storage and removal:
- Sand/Gravel: Bulks 10-15% when loose
- Clay: Bulks 25-40% when excavated
- Topsoil: Bulks 20-25%
- Rock: Bulks 40-50% when broken
Example: 10m³ of clay excavation will occupy 12.5-14m³ when stockpiled.
Ready-Mix Concrete Orders
Ready-mix concrete is typically ordered in cubic metres, with a minimum order of 1m³. Common truck capacities:
- Mini-mix truck: Up to 4m³
- Standard truck: 6-8m³
- Volumetric mixer: Unlimited (mixed on site)
Water Tank Capacity
Calculate tank capacity for rainwater harvesting or storage:
- 1m³ tank: 1,000 litres / 220 gallons
- Rainwater from roof: 1mm rain on 100m² = 100 litres
- Average UK rainfall: ~800mm/year
TXTexas IBC / IRC (AHJ amendments)
References & Sources
Standards Cited
- SI Brochure (9th edition) — The International System of Units
Defines the cubic metre (m³) as the SI derived unit of volume View → - ASCE 7-22 — ASCE 7 — Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures
Source of standard material densities used in weight-from-volume calculations for North American construction - ACI 318-19 — ACI 318 — Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete
Provides standard concrete densities (normal-weight concrete 150 pcf / 2400 kg/m³) used in volume-to-weight conversions
Formulas Used
- Cuboid Volume:
V = length x width x height
Source: Standard geometry - Cylinder Volume:
V = pi x r² x h
Source: Standard geometry - Sphere Volume:
V = (4/3) x pi x r³
Source: Standard geometry - Cone Volume:
V = (1/3) x pi x r² x h
Source: Standard geometry - Pyramid Volume:
V = (1/3) x base_length x base_width x height
Source: Standard geometry - Excavation Bulking:
Bulked volume = excavated volume x bulking factor
Source: Construction industry practice — Default bulking factor of 1.2 (20%) used for general excavation - Volume from Weight:
V = weight / density
Source: ASCE 7 / ACI 318 - Tank Capacity (litres):
Litres = volume_m³ x 1000
Source: SI unit definitions - Tank Capacity (US gallons):
US gallons = litres / 3.78541
Source: NIST Handbook 44
Key Assumptions
- Reinforced concrete density of 150 pcf (2400 kg/m³) — ACI 318-19
- Normal-weight concrete density of 145 pcf (2300 kg/m³) — ACI 318-19
- Softwood timber density of 500 kg/m³ (31 pcf) — NDS — National Design Specification for Wood Construction
- Default bulking factor of 1.2 (20%) for excavated soil — Construction industry standard practice
- 1 US gallon = 3.78541 litres — NIST Handbook 44