About the CC to Cubic Inches
This CC to cubic inches converter translates engine displacement between cubic centimeters (cc), liters and cubic inches (ci or CID). Enter a size in cc to get cubic inches and liters, or enter cubic inches in the second field to get the metric equivalent — both directions are worked out at the same time.
It is built for car and motorcycle buyers comparing spec sheets, restorers matching a classic American V8 (quoted in cubic inches) against a modern engine quoted in liters, and anyone sizing a lawn mower, outboard or scooter engine. The table lists popular engine sizes so you can compare at a glance.
One cubic inch is exactly 16.387064 cm³, because an inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm. A cc is the same as a milliliter, so 1,000 cc equals 1 liter. Manufacturers often round their marketing figures (a "5.7 L" 350 V8 is really 5,735 cc), so small differences from badge numbers are normal.
With the default inputs, the cubic inches is 347.84 in³. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the cc to cubic inches
- 1Enter the engine displacement in cc (for example from a motorcycle spec sheet).
- 2Read the equivalent in cubic inches and liters.
- 3To go the other way, type a cubic-inch figure in the second field.
- 4Use the table to compare against common engine sizes.
Formula and method
An inch is defined as exactly 2.54 cm, so one cubic inch is 2.54 × 2.54 × 2.54 = 16.387064 cubic centimeters. To convert cc to cubic inches, divide by 16.387064; to convert cubic inches to cc, multiply by it.
A cubic centimeter is identical to a milliliter, and 1,000 mL make a liter, so dividing cc by 1,000 gives liters. Engine displacement is the total swept volume of all cylinders: bore area × stroke × number of cylinders.
- cc
- Cubic centimeters (cm³), the same as milliliters
- in³
- Cubic inches (ci or CID, cubic inch displacement)
- L
- Liters (1 L = 1,000 cc)
Worked examples
A "5.7 L" V8 in cubic inches
5,700 ÷ 16.387064 = 347.84 cubic inches. Going the other way, the classic 350 cubic-inch small-block is 350 × 16.387064 = 5,735.5 cc, which is why it is badged as a 5.7 L.
A 1,000 cc motorcycle
1,000 cc ÷ 16.387064 = 61.02 cubic inches (exactly 1 liter). A 454 cubic-inch big-block works out to 454 × 16.387064 = 7,439.7 cc, or about 7.4 L.
49 cc scooter engine
49 ÷ 16.387064 = 2.99 cubic inches — tiny next to a 427 cubic-inch V8, which is 427 × 16.387064 = 6,997 cc, marketed as a 7.0 L.
Frequently asked questions
How many cc are in a cubic inch?+
One cubic inch equals exactly 16.387064 cc (cubic centimeters). This follows from the inch being defined as exactly 2.54 cm, cubed.
How do I convert cc to cubic inches?+
Divide the cc figure by 16.387064. For example, 2,000 cc ÷ 16.387064 = 122.0 cubic inches. For a rough mental estimate, divide by 16.4.
Is cc the same as mL?+
Yes. One cubic centimeter (cc or cm³) is exactly one milliliter, so 1,000 cc equals 1 liter. That is why a 1,600 cc engine is called a 1.6 L engine.
How many cubic inches is a 5.0 liter engine?+
A 5.0 L engine is 5,000 ÷ 16.387064 = 305.1 cubic inches. The Ford "5.0" is actually 302 cubic inches (4,949 cc), rounded up for marketing.
What does CID mean on an engine?+
CID stands for cubic inch displacement — the combined swept volume of all cylinders measured in cubic inches, the unit traditionally used by American car makers.