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in³ to mm³ Converter — Section Converter
Section Converter
Structural
0

Formula
01

What this converter does

This converter turns section modulus in cubic inches into cubic millimetres and back. It also covers cm³ and m³ — every pair uses an exact factor. Type a value, pick your units, and read the result as you type.

One cubic inch of section modulus is 16,387 mm³. Section modulus (S) sets bending capacity. For the related area moment, see the in⁴ to mm⁴ converter.

02

The units it covers

Section modulus is a volume (length³); each unit converts through the cubic millimetre.

View all units & their values
UnitSymbolValueMainly used
Cubic millimetremm³1Metric section tables
Cubic centimetrecm³1000Steel section catalogues
Cubic inchin³16387.064US section tables
Cubic metre1e9Large sections
03

The formula

Each unit has a fixed value in cubic millimetres, so section modulus converts through the mm³ once:

Conversion
result = value × factor_from ÷ factor_to

Where:

  • value = the number you typed, in the “from” unit
  • factor_from = the “from” unit’s value in cubic millimetres
  • factor_to = the “to” unit’s value in cubic millimetres
04

Worked example

Convert 5 in³ of section modulus to cubic millimetres.

Step 1 · The factor
1 in³ = 16,387.064 mm³
Step 2 · Multiply
5 × 16387.064 = 81,935 mm³

So 5 cubic inches is about 81,935 mm³ of section modulus.

05

The units in this example

Cubic inchsymbol: in³

The US unit for section modulus in AISC steel section tables.

Common section-modulus conversions
  • 1 in³ = 16,387 mm³
  • 1 in³ ≈ 16.39 cm³
  • 1 in³ ≈ 1.639e-5 m³
  • 1 in³ = 1 in³
Cubic millimetresymbol: mm³

The metric unit for section modulus in steel and timber design tables.

Common section-modulus conversions
  • 1 cm³ = 1,000 mm³
  • 1 in³ = 16,387 mm³
  • 1 mm³ ≈ 6.10e-5 in³
  • 1 m³ = 1e9 mm³
06

FAQ

QHow many mm³ in 1 in³?
Exactly 16,387.064 cubic millimetres.
QIs section modulus the same as moment of inertia?
No. Section modulus is inertia divided by the distance to the extreme fibre.
08

Sources

NIST SP 811 — SI units · AISC — steel construction

InfoCalculator Editorial Team Fact-checked
Updated Jul 2026 · 3 min read · Reviewed by the InfoCalculator editorial team