Volume matters! Whether you’re figuring out how much water your aquarium holds or calculating material for a construction project, you’re probably dealing with different units of measurement. Two common ones are cubic feet (ft³) and gallons (gal), and knowing how to switch between them is super handy.
But here’s a twist: there are US gallons and UK gallons, which aren’t the same size! This article will clearly explain how to convert cubic feet to gallons, covering both US and UK measurements to avoid any confusion.
So, how many gallons per cubic feet? Read on to find out!
What are cubic feet and gallons?
Before we dive into the math, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what these units of measure actually represent.
What is a cubic foot?
A cubic foot is a unit of volume. Think of it as the amount of space inside a cube that’s one foot on every side. Cubic feet are often used to measure how much material can fit in a space.
Here are a couple of quick definitions:
- 1 foot = 12 inches
- 1 foot = 30.48 centimeters
What is a gallon?
A gallon is a unit of volume that’s mostly used for liquids. It’s important to know that there are both U.S. gallons and U.K. gallons, and they aren’t the same size.
Here’s the volume of each:
- 1 U.S. gallon = 231 cubic inches
- 1 U.K. gallon = 4.54609 cubic decimeters
The Conversion Factors: Cubic Feet to Gallons
So, how do you convert between cubic feet and gallons? Here are the conversion factors you’ll need, along with some examples to help you visualize the math.
Cubic Feet to US Gallons
To convert from cubic feet to US gallons, you’ll want to remember this:
1 cubic foot = 7.48052 US gallons
To convert, use this formula:
Gallons (US) = Cubic Feet × 7.48052
For example, if you want to convert 2 cubic feet to US gallons:
2 ft³ × 7.48052 = 14.96104 US gallons
Cubic Feet to UK Gallons
For converting cubic feet to UK gallons, the conversion factor is different:
1 cubic foot = 6.22884 UK gallons
The formula is:
Gallons (UK) = Cubic Feet × 6.22884
So, to convert 2 cubic feet to UK gallons:
2 ft³ × 6.22884 = 12.45768 UK gallons
How is this conversion used?
Knowing how to convert cubic feet to gallons comes in handy in a bunch of situations:
- Figuring out how much water is in a tank
- Estimating how much liquid you need for a project
- Determining how much stuff you can fit in a storage space
Let’s look at an example. Say you have a rectangular tank that’s 4 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 2 feet high. First, calculate the volume in cubic feet: 4 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft = 24 ft³.
Now, to convert to US gallons: 24 ft³ x 7.48052 = about 179.5 US gallons. To convert to UK gallons: 24 ft³ x 6.22884 = about 149.5 UK gallons.
Tools and resources for conversion
The easiest way to convert cubic feet to gallons is to use an online conversion calculator. These are very simple to use. Just type in the number of cubic feet you want to convert, and the calculator will instantly tell you how many gallons that is.
You can also consult resources like NIST Handbook 44 – 2019 Edition for more information.
Finally, many resources provide conversion tables. These tables allow you to quickly find the conversion factor for common values.
Conclusion
When calculating how many gallons are in a cubic foot, remember that U.S. gallons and U.K. gallons are different sizes.
To quickly convert cubic feet to gallons, use these formulas:
- U.S. Gallons: Cubic Feet x 7.48052
- U.K. Gallons: Cubic Feet x 6.22884