Quick Answer
A 5 gallon pail contains 0.66 cubic feet. This is calculated by converting the volume of 5 gallons to cubic feet using the conversion factor that 1 gallon is equal to 0.13368 cubic feet. So 5 gallons multiplied by 0.13368 cubic feet per gallon equals 0.6684 cubic feet, which rounds to 0.66 cubic feet.
Calculating Cubic Feet in a 5 Gallon Pail
To find out how many cubic feet are in a 5 gallon pail, we first need to know the conversion between gallons and cubic feet. 1 US gallon is equal to 0.13368 cubic feet. This conversion factor allows us to convert between the two different volume units.
Here are the steps to calculate the cubic feet in a 5 gallon pail:
1. Start with the amount in gallons – in this case 5 gallons
2. Multiply the gallon amount by the conversion factor between gallons and cubic feet:
5 gallons x 0.13368 cubic feet/gallon
3. The result is the cubic feet amount:
5 x 0.13368 = 0.6684 cubic feet
4. Round the result to the nearest hundredth:
0.6684 cubic feet rounds to 0.66 cubic feet
Therefore, the volume of a 5 gallon pail in cubic feet is 0.66 cubic feet.
To summarize:
- 1 US gallon = 0.13368 cubic feet
- 5 gallons x 0.13368 cubic feet/gallon = 0.6684 cubic feet
- 0.6684 cubic feet rounds to 0.66 cubic feet
So a 5 gallon pail contains 0.66 cubic feet.
Converting Between Gallons and Cubic Feet
Being able to convert between gallons and cubic feet is useful for many practical applications. Here are some examples:
- Determining the size container needed to hold a certain volume
- Calculating the capacity of a tank or container
- Estimating amounts of materials needed for a project
- Comparing volumes of liquid in different units
The conversion factor between US gallons and cubic feet is:
1 US gallon = 0.13368 cubic feet
This allows us to calculate equivalent volumes in the two units using basic math:
Gallons to cubic feet:
Gallons x 0.13368 = Cubic feet
Cubic feet to gallons:
Cubic feet / 0.13368 = Gallons
Let’s look at some examples:
Convert 10 gallons to cubic feet:
10 gallons x 0.13368 cubic feet/gallon = 1.3368 cubic feet
Convert 15 cubic feet to gallons:
15 cubic feet / 0.13368 cubic feet/gallon = 112 gallons
Being able to move between cubic feet and gallons allows you to calculate volumes for containers, spaces, materials, and more. It’s a useful conversion to know whether you are working with liquids like water, designing containers, or estimating materials.
Cubic Feet to Gallon Conversion Table
| Cubic feet | Gallons |
|---|---|
| 0.13368 | 1 |
| 1 | 7.48052 |
| 5 | 37.40259 |
| 10 | 74.8052 |
| 15 | 112.2078 |
| 20 | 149.6104 |
| 25 | 187.013 |
| 30 | 224.4156 |
| 35 | 261.8182 |
This table shows some common cubic feet values and the equivalent volumes in gallons. You can use it as a quick reference when converting between cubic feet and gallons.
Real-World Examples Using Gallons and Cubic Feet
Let’s look at some real-world examples using gallons and cubic feet to represent volume.
Swimming Pool Volume
A rectangular swimming pool is 20 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 4 feet deep. How many gallons does it hold?
First calculate the volume in cubic feet:
- Volume = Length x Width x Depth
- V = 20 ft x 10 ft x 4 ft
- V = 800 cubic feet
Then convert cubic feet to gallons:
800 cubic feet x 7.48052 gallons/cubic foot = 5,984 gallons
So the pool holds approximately 5,984 gallons.
Garden Soil Estimate
A raised garden bed is 5 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 1 foot deep. If 1 cubic foot of soil holds about 5 gallons, about how many gallons of soil are needed to fill the bed?
Calculate volume:
- Volume = Length x Width x Depth
- V = 5 ft x 3 ft x 1 ft
- V = 15 cubic feet
Convert to gallons:
- 1 cubic foot holds 5 gallons
- 15 cubic feet x 5 gallons/cubic foot = 75 gallons
About 75 gallons of soil mix would be required.
Water Tank Capacity
A cylindrical tank is 10 feet tall with a diameter of 5 feet. If 1 cubic foot of water is about 7.48 gallons, about how many gallons does the tank hold?
Calculate volume:
- Volume of cylinder = πr2h
- r = 2.5 feet (diameter/2)
- h = 10 feet
- V = π x 2.5^2 x 10 = 196.25 cubic feet
Convert to gallons:
- 1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons
- 196.25 cubic feet x 7.48 gallons/cubic foot = 1,468 gallons
The tank holds approximately 1,468 gallons.
Being able to move between cubic feet and gallons allows you to estimate volumes for real-world containers and spaces.
When Cubic Feet or Gallons are More Appropriate Units
Cubic feet or gallons can be more appropriate units depending on the specific context and application. Here are some general guidelines:
Use cubic feet when:
- Measuring larger volumes like those of containers, boxes, tanks, or spaces
- Construction, engineering, or woodworking projects involving dimensions in feet
- Estimating soil, gravel, or landscaping material amounts
Use gallons when:
- Measuring liquid volumes like water, fuel, or chemicals
- Sizing containers that will hold liquids like tanks or buckets
- Working with fluid amounts for cooking, automotive, or industrial uses
Cubic feet are suited for larger volumes and applications involving linear feet dimensions. Gallons work better for liquid amounts and smaller container sizes.
Some cases where gallons or cubic feet may be preferred:
Gallons tend to be better for:
- Beverage container sizes
- Liquid measuring cups
- Bathtub capacities
- Gas tank volumes
- Swimming pools sizes
Cubic feet tend to be better for:
- Furniture and appliance shipping box volumes
- Sized of containers transported by ships
- Construction material estimates
- Soil or gravel amounts
- Shed and outbuilding spaces
Choosing the most appropriate unit makes volume calculations easier and improves understanding for the intended use case.
Converting Cubic Feet to Gallons in Other Measurements
The conversions discussed so far apply to US customary units of gallons and cubic feet. But other country standards exist as well.
For example, the imperial system used in the UK, Canada, and some other countries has a different gallon definition.
1 imperial gallon = 0.1605 cubic feet
So the conversion factor is different than the US system.
Let’s look at how this changes the cubic feet to gallon calculation:
Convert 10 cubic feet to imperial gallons:
10 cubic feet x 6.2288 gallons/cubic foot = 62.288 imperial gallons
Compare this to US gallons:
10 cubic feet x 7.48052 US gallons/cubic feet = 74.80 US gallons
The imperial gallon is about 20% smaller than the US gallon.
Other common conversions include:
Litres and cubic metres
1 litre = 0.001 cubic metres
1000 litres = 1 cubic metre
This is convenient because the conversions scale by factors of 1000.
Cubic inches and US fluid ounces
1 cubic inch = 0.554 fluid ounces
1 fluid ounce = 1.804 cubic inches
So cubic inches can convert to fluid ounces for liquid volumes in cooking measurements.
Being aware of the different measurement systems allows you to convert cubic feet and gallons appropriately for the country and use case.
Estimating Volume Conversions Between Cubic Feet and Gallons
In some cases you may need to estimate a volume conversion between cubic feet and gallons. This can be done using approximations and rounding.
Here are some tips for estimating:
– Remember the basic conversion: 1 cubic foot is about 7.5 gallons.
– For simplicity, round to 8 gallons per cubic foot for mental math.
– For halves, quarters, thirds, estimate:
– Half of 8 gallons is 4 gallons
– One third is almost 3 gallons
– One quarter is 2 gallons
– For multiples, estimate:
– Twice 8 gallons is 16 gallons
– Triple is 24 gallons
– Five times is 40 gallons
Let’s look at some examples:
Estimate 6 cubic feet to gallons:
Since 1 cubic foot is around 8 gallons…
6 cubic feet would be approximately 6 x 8 = 48 gallons
Estimate 25 cubic feet to gallons:
25 cubic feet is over 3 times 8 gallons
So estimate: 3 x 8 = 24 gallons
25 is close to 30, or almost 4 times 8 gallons
So estimate around: 4 x 8 = 32 gallons
The exact conversion is 25 x 7.48 = 187 gallons
But estimating around 30 gallons gives a reasonable approximation.
Estimating can provide a quick rough volume conversion between cubic feet and gallons when you don’t need an exact calculated value.
Conclusion
To summarize key points:
- A 5 gallon pail contains 0.66 cubic feet
- Converting between gallons and cubic feet uses the ratio:
- 1 US gallon = 0.13368 cubic feet
- Cubic feet or gallons may be better units depending on the use case
- Other measurement systems have different conversion factors
- Estimating with rounded numbers can give reasonable approximations
Being able to move between cubic feet and gallons allows you to calculate volumes for projects, containers, materials, liquids and more. Having an understanding of the relationship between the units provides flexibility across different applications and contexts when volume measurements are needed.
