The Simple Way to Calculate Metric Volume Conversions

Use a conversion tool. A conversion tool is something that allows the user to enter a value for the source volume and enter a unit of measure. For example, consider 3 cubic meters. The user next enters the unit of measure she wants the amount converted to -- for example, cubic foot. The conversion tool then displays both values; for example, 3 cubic meters is 105.944 cubic feet. A number of online conversion tools can be used for free. Most conversion tools include all units of measure (see Resources).

Work out the conversion manually. When converting one value of measure into another, a person uses a ratio to multiply or divide the source value by. These ratios are widely published and can be found easily online (see Resources.) For example, the ratio for converting cubic meters into cubic centimeters is 1 cubic meter x 1,000,000 = 1,000,000 cubic centimeters. There are ratios for every possible unit of conversion.

Use a scientific calculator. Many scientific calculators have a unit converter function built into them. The exact method used for operating this function varies from calculator to calculator. In all cases, the user selects the source unit of measure, enters a value for the source unit and then enters a unit of measure for the conversion.