CBM Calculator
Calculate cubic metres and volumetric weight.
Results update as you type.
How it works
CBM, short for cubic metre, is the standard unit for measuring how much space a shipment occupies, and it drives pricing for sea freight, air freight, and warehousing alike. This CBM calculator takes carton length, width, and height in centimetres, multiplies them, divides by one million to convert to cubic metres, and multiplies by the number of identical cartons to give your total shipment volume. Knowing CBM matters because ocean carriers and freight forwarders often bill on volume rather than weight, especially for light but bulky goods. Once you know your total cubic metres, you can compare quotes, decide between less-than-container-load and full-container shipping, and estimate how many boxes will fit inside a container. The tool also returns volumetric weight, applying the widely used air-freight factor of 167 kilograms per cubic metre. The formula works because a cubic metre is exactly one million cubic centimetres, so the division simply rescales your measurements into the unit carriers quote. Importers, exporters, and warehouse planners rely on accurate CBM figures to book the right amount of space, negotiate fair rates, and avoid paying for empty air or discovering too late that their cargo will not fit the container they reserved.
CBM = (length × width × height) ÷ 1,000,000 × quantity
CBM measures the cubic metres a shipment occupies, so multiplying length, width, and height in centimetres gives cubic centimetres, and dividing by one million converts to cubic metres. Multiplying by quantity totals every identical carton. The formula works because one cubic metre equals a million cubic centimetres, and freight is priced on the space consumed. The volumetric weight applies the standard air-freight factor of 167 kilograms per cubic metre.
Source:Standard freight/logistics formula
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter length, width, height and quantity.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Total volume updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What units should I enter for a CBM calculation?
Enter length, width, and height in centimetres and the calculator converts the result to cubic metres by dividing by one million. If your dimensions are in metres, multiply by 100 first, or if they are in inches, multiply by 2.54 to get centimetres. Keeping every measurement in the same unit is essential, because mixing centimetres and metres will throw the volume off by orders of magnitude.
What is volumetric weight and why does it appear?
Volumetric weight expresses how much a shipment's size would weigh at a standard density, letting carriers charge bulky, lightweight cargo fairly. For air freight the common factor is 167 kilograms per cubic metre, so this calculator multiplies your CBM by 167. Carriers then bill the greater of volumetric and actual weight, which is why a large but light shipment can cost more than its scale weight suggests.
How do I use CBM to choose between LCL and FCL?
Less-than-container-load shipping is priced per cubic metre and suits smaller volumes, while a full-container-load is a flat rate for the whole box. As your total CBM approaches a container's usable capacity, a full container usually becomes cheaper per unit. Calculating your exact CBM first lets you compare the per-cubic-metre LCL cost against a full-container rate and pick the more economical option.
How many CBM fit in a shipping container?
A standard 20-foot container holds roughly 33 cubic metres of usable space, a 40-foot around 67, and a 40-foot high-cube about 76. Real capacity is lower because boxes rarely stack without gaps, so planners typically load to about 80 to 90 percent of the theoretical figure. Knowing your shipment's CBM lets you estimate how many containers you need before booking.
Should I include pallets in my CBM measurement?
Yes, when goods are palletised you should measure the full loaded pallet, including the pallet's own height and any overhang, because that is the space the shipment actually occupies. Measuring only the cartons understates the volume and can lead to under-booking container space. For loose cartons, measure each carton and multiply by quantity, which is exactly what this calculator does with its quantity field.