Cubic inch – Examples, Uses, Cubic inch Formulas

What is Cubic inch?

A cubic inch is a unit of volume measurement in the Imperial and US customary systems, representing the volume of a cube with sides measuring one inch each. It’s commonly used in engineering, automotive, and manufacturing contexts for small-scale measurements.

Unit of Cubic inch

The unit of volume for a cubic inch is abbreviated as “in³” or simply “cu in.” It represents the volume of a cube with sides each measuring one inch.

List of Cubic inch Formulas

Conversion of Cubic inch into Other Units

Cubic inch to Cubic Centimeters (cm³)

One cubic inch equals approximately 16.387 cubic centimeters, commonly used for small-scale volume measurements in engineering and manufacturing.

Cubic inch to Cubic meter (m³)

One cubic inch is equivalent to approximately 0.000016387 cubic meters, a small volume in the metric system.

Cubic inch to Liter (L)

One cubic inch is equivalent to approximately 0.016387 liters, a common conversion for small-volume measurements in fluid capacity.

Cubic inch to Milliliter

One cubic inch is equivalent to approximately 16.387 milliliters, commonly used for precise volume measurements in scientific and engineering contexts.

Cubic inch to Gallon (US)

One cubic inch is equivalent to approximately 0.004329 gallons (US), often used for small-scale volume measurements.

Cubic inch to Gallon (UK)

One cubic inch is approximately equal to 0.003604 gallons (UK), making it a small volume measurement in fluid capacity.

How to Calculate the Cubic inch?

1. Cube:
   • Measure the length of one side of the cube in inches.
   • Cube this measurement (multiply it by itself twice) to find the volume in cubic inches.
2. Rectangular Prism:
   • Measure the length, width, and height of the rectangular prism in inches.
   • Multiply these three measurements together to find the volume in cubic inches.
3. Cylinder:
   • Measure the radius of the cylinder’s base (in inches) and the height of the cylinder.
   • Square the radius (multiply it by itself) and multiply by π (pi).
   • Then, multiply this result by the height of the cylinder to find the volume in cubic inches.
4. Sphere:
   • Measure the radius of the sphere (in inches).
   • Cube the radius (multiply it by itself twice), multiply by 4/3, and then multiply by π (pi) to find the volume in cubic inches.

Example of Cubic inch

1. A small jewelry box with dimensions 2 inches x 2 inches x 2 inches has a volume of 8 cubic inches.
2. A Rubik’s Cube with each side measuring 2.25 inches has a volume of 11.39 cubic inches.
3. A can of soda with a diameter of 2.6 inches and a height of 4.8 inches has a volume of approximately 31.27 cubic inches.
4. A brick with dimensions 3 inches x 4 inches x 8 inches has a volume of 96 cubic inches.
5. A bookshelf organizer box with dimensions 6 inches x 9 inches x 12 inches has a volume of 648 cubic inches.
6. A basketball with a diameter of 9.5 inches has a volume of approximately 242.51 cubic inches.
7. A small aquarium with dimensions 12 inches x 6 inches x 8 inches has a volume of 576 cubic inches.
8. A cylindrical pencil holder with a radius of 1.5 inches and a height of 4 inches has a volume of approximately 28.27 cubic inches.
9. A coffee mug with a diameter of 3.5 inches and a height of 4.75 inches has a volume of approximately 58.49 cubic inches.
10. A shoebox with dimensions 10 inches x 5 inches x 4 inches has a volume of 200 cubic inches.

Uses of Cubic inch

1. Engineering and Manufacturing: Cubic inches are used in engineering and manufacturing processes for calculating volumes of small components, parts, and materials, especially in industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics.
2. Architecture and Construction: Architects and builders use cubic inches to calculate volumes of materials such as concrete, wood, and steel for small-scale projects or detailed design elements.
3. Modeling and Prototyping: Cubic inches are utilized in 3D modeling and prototyping to determine the volume of prototypes and models, aiding in accurate scaling and representation.
4. Packaging and Shipping: Cubic inches are employed in packaging and shipping industries to calculate the volume of packages and determine shipping costs, especially for small items or parcels.
5. Cooking and Baking: In culinary applications, cubic inches can be used to measure volumes of ingredients for recipes, especially in professional kitchens where precise measurements are crucial.
6. Fluid Mechanics: Cubic inches are used in fluid mechanics for measuring the displacement volume of liquids or gases in small-scale systems, such as in laboratory experiments or hydraulic systems.
7. Crafts and DIY Projects: Cubic inches are handy for DIY enthusiasts and craftsmen for calculating volumes of materials like paint, glue, or resin needed for small-scale projects and artworks.
8. Hobbyist Activities: Hobbyists involved in activities like model-making, woodworking, or miniature construction often use cubic inches to determine material volumes and dimensions accurately.

FAQs

cubic inches to cubic feet

Here’s the conversion formula:

Cubic Feet = Cubic Inches/1728

For example, if you have 5,000 cubic inches and want to convert it to cubic feet:

Cubic Feet = 5000/1728​ Cubic Feet ≈ 2.893

So, 5,000 cubic inches is approximately 2.893 cubic feet.

cubic inch to cm

To convert cubic inches to cubic centimeters (cm³), you can use the conversion factor that 1 cubic inch is equal to approximately 16.387 cubic centimeters.

Here’s the conversion formula:

Cubic Centimeters = Cubic Inches × 16.387

For example, if you have 10 cubic inches and want to convert it to cubic centimeters:

Cubic Centimeters =10 × 16.387

Cubic Centimeters ≈ 163.87

So, 10 cubic inches is approximately equal to 163.87 cubic centimeters.

What are the common uses of cubic inches?

Cubic inches find applications in various fields, including engineering, manufacturing, architecture, packaging, cooking, and hobbyist activities. They are used to measure volumes of small-scale objects, materials, and ingredients.

Why are cubic inches still used in some contexts?

Despite the prevalence of the metric system, cubic inches are still used in certain industries, particularly in the United States and in contexts where legacy measurements are preferred or required by regulations.