CBM calculator
Calculate total shipment volume in cubic metres (m³) and cubic feet (ft³) across cartons, wooden crates, and palletised cargo. Add multiple line items with custom dimensions (cm, m, mm, inches, feet), estimate how many 20ft or 40ft standard and high-cube ocean containers your goods will fill, and compare chargeable volumetric weights across Air Freight (1:6000), Courier (1:5000), Road Haulage (1:3000), and Ocean LCL. Runs completely in your browser without uploading logistics data.
Runs locally · Ocean, Air & Road freight metrics · 20ft / 40ft Container Estimation
Cubic metres (CBM) for ocean & LCL freight.
US domestic and freight forwarding imperial volume.
1,587.3 lbs total gross scale weight.
Across 1 consignment line item.
Cargo Packages & Cartons
Add individual boxes, crates, or pallet dimensions. Supports cm, meters, mm, inches, and feet.
| Description | L | W | H | Unit | Qty | Weight | Total CBM | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.760 m³ | ||||||||
| Total Cargo Consignment | 60 pcs | 720.0 kg | 5.760 m³ | |||||
Ocean Shipping Container Estimation
Practical usable volume (factoring 80–85% stacking efficiency) and payload capacity across standard intermodal ISO sea containers.
Fits comfortably in 1× 20ft Standard Dry Container (20' GP) (21% volume utilized).
Fits comfortably in 1× 40ft Standard Dry Container (40' GP) (10% volume utilized).
Fits comfortably in 1× 40ft High Cube Container (40' HC) (9% volume utilized).
Fits comfortably in 1× 45ft High Cube Container (45' HC) (8% volume utilized).
Freight Mode & Chargeable Weight Comparison
Carriers bill whichever is higher between actual gross weight and volumetric weight. Compare standard air, courier, road, and ocean LCL ratios:
| Freight Mode | Standard Ratio | Volumetric Weight | Estimated Billable Metric | Carrier Pricing Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Freight LCL (Ocean) | 1 CBM = 1,000 kg (1 Revenue Ton) | 5,760 kg (12,699 lbs) | 5.76 Revenue Tons (w/m) | Billed by volume (5.76 CBM > 0.72 MT). |
| Standard Air Freight | 1 CBM = 166.67 kg (1:6000 divisor) | 960 kg (2,116 lbs) | 960 kg | Volumetric weight (960 kg) exceeds actual weight (720 kg). |
| Express Courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS) | 1 CBM = 200 kg (1:5000 divisor) | 1,152 kg (2,540 lbs) | 1152 kg | Courier will bill for 1152 kg volumetric weight. |
| UK & European Road Freight | 1 CBM = 333.33 kg (1:3000 divisor) | 1,920 kg (4,233 lbs) | 1920 kg | Road haulier bills volumetric chargeable weight (1920 kg). |
Example
60 master cartons for e-commerce shipment
60 cartons measuring 60 × 40 × 40 cm weighing 12 kg each have a total volume of 5.760 CBM (203.41 CFT) and total weight of 720 kg. Fills 20.6% of a 20ft ocean container (comfortable fit). For air freight, the volumetric chargeable weight is 960 kg.
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FAQ
- What is CBM in shipping and logistics?
- CBM stands for Cubic Metres (m³). It is the universal standard metric unit of measurement used by international shipping lines, freight forwarders, and logistics operators to measure the volume of cargo for ocean, air, and road transportation.
- How do you calculate CBM from dimensions in centimeters?
- Multiply Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) to get cubic centimeters, then divide by 1,000,000. For example, a box measuring 50 × 40 × 30 cm has a volume of (50 × 40 × 30) / 1,000,000 = 0.060 CBM.
- How many CBM fit into a 20ft and 40ft ocean container?
- A standard 20ft container (20' GP) has a total internal volume of ~33.2 CBM, but realistically fits about 26 to 28 CBM of cargo due to stacking inefficiencies. A 40ft standard container fits ~56 CBM, and a 40ft High Cube (HC) accommodates approximately 66 to 68 CBM.
- What is the difference between CBM and dimensional weight?
- CBM measures physical geometric volume in cubic metres. Dimensional (volumetric) weight converts that volume into an equivalent chargeable weight (in kg or lbs) using carrier ratios (such as 1 CBM = 167 kg for air freight or 1 CBM = 200 kg for express couriers).
- How is Less than Container Load (LCL) sea freight priced?
- Ocean LCL freight is billed by Weight or Measure (W/M) based on 'Revenue Tons'. 1 Revenue Ton equals 1 CBM or 1,000 kg (1 metric ton), whichever is higher. If your cargo is 4 CBM and weighs 1,500 kg, you are billed for 4 Revenue Tons.
- How many cubic feet (CFT) are in 1 CBM?
- 1 Cubic Metre (CBM) equals approximately 35.3147 Cubic Feet (CFT). To convert CBM to CFT, multiply CBM by 35.3147. To convert CFT to CBM, divide CFT by 35.3147.
- How do I calculate CBM programmatically in JavaScript?
- Convert all dimensions to meters: const lengthM = lengthCm / 100; const widthM = widthCm / 100; const heightM = heightCm / 100; const cbm = lengthM * widthM * heightM * quantity; const cft = cbm * 35.3146667;