Logistics calculators

CBM Calculator

Updated Sep 1, 2026 By Jehan Wadia
Rate Formulas
Measurement System & Units
Select measurement system
Select unit (metric)
Package Dimensions
Volume Results (total shipment)
CBM
—
Cubic Meters (m³)
Cubic Feet
—
ft³
Cubic Yards
—
yd³
Footprint Area
—
ft² (L × W)
Weight Results
Total Actual Weight
—
kilograms (kg)
Total Actual Weight
—
pounds (lb)
Volumetric & Chargeable Weight
Air volumetric weight estimates billable weight for air freight using the dimensional factor of 5000 (length times width times height in centimetres divided by 5000). Sea volumetric weight estimates equivalent weight for sea freight where one cubic metre equals 1000 kilograms. Chargeable weight for air freight is the greater of the actual weight and the air volumetric weight. Chargeable weight for sea freight is the greater of the actual weight and the sea volumetric weight.
Volumetric — Air
—
— lb
Volumetric — Sea
—
— lb
Actual vs Volumetric
—
actual weight (kg)
Chargeable Weight (Air)
—
— lb
Chargeable Weight (Sea)
—
— lb
Container Capacity
Cartons of this box that fit (best orientation).
20 ft Standard
—
589 × 230 × 230 cm
40 ft Standard
—
1200 × 230 × 230 cm
40 ft High Cube
—
1200 × 230 × 260 cm
Dimension Conversion Reference (per unit)
Dimension mm cm Meters (m) inches feet yards

Introduction

A CBM calculator helps you find the cubic meter volume of your shipment. CBM stands for cubic meters, and it is the standard unit used in shipping to measure how much space cargo takes up. Freight companies use this number to set prices, so knowing your CBM before you ship saves time and money.

This free CBM calculator lets you enter the length, width, and height of your packages along with the quantity and weight. It then gives you results in cubic meters, cubic feet, and cubic yards. It also calculates your volumetric weight for both air freight and sea freight, shows your chargeable weight, and tells you how many boxes fit inside a 20 ft, 40 ft, or 40 ft high cube container.

You can use metric units like millimeters, centimeters, and meters, or switch to imperial units like inches, feet, and yards. Use single product mode to calculate one box size, or switch to multiple product mode to combine different box sizes into one total. All results update right away as you type, so you can plan your shipment fast.

How to Use Our CBM Calculator

Enter your package dimensions, quantity, and weight to get your total shipment volume in CBM, cubic feet, and cubic yards. You will also see volumetric weight, chargeable weight, and how many boxes fit in standard shipping containers.

Single or Multiple Products: Choose "Single Product" if you are shipping one type of box. Choose "Multiple Products" if you have different box sizes in the same shipment.

Measurement System: Pick "Metric" to use millimeters, centimeters, or meters. Pick "Imperial" to use inches, feet, or yards. Then select the exact unit you want to type in.

Length: Enter the length of one package in your chosen unit. If you selected feet, you can also add extra inches in the field below.

Width: Enter the width of one package in your chosen unit.

Height: Enter the height of one package in your chosen unit.

Quantity: Enter the total number of packages you are shipping. This must be at least 1.

Weight per Unit: Enter how much one package weighs. This field is optional, but you need it to get chargeable weight results.

Weight Unit: Select the unit your weight is in: kilograms (kg), pounds (lb), or grams (g).

Show Totals: Turn this on to see results for your full shipment. Turn it off to see results for just one package.

Press the Calculate button to see your results. Press Reset to clear all fields and start over. Use the Copy Results button to copy everything to your clipboard.

What Is CBM in Shipping?

CBM stands for cubic meters. It measures how much space a package takes up. You find CBM by multiplying the length, width, and height of a box together. Shipping companies use CBM to figure out how much cargo fits inside a truck, container, or airplane.

Why CBM Matters

When you ship goods, you pay based on either the actual weight or the space your cargo fills, whichever one is greater. A large but light box still costs a lot to ship because it takes up room that could hold other freight. This is why knowing your CBM before you book a shipment saves you money and helps you avoid surprises on your shipping bill.

Volumetric Weight Explained

Volumetric weight is a way to turn the size of a package into a weight number. Air freight and sea freight use different formulas.

  • Air freight: Multiply length × width × height in centimeters, then divide by 5,000. This gives you the volumetric weight in kilograms.
  • Sea freight: One cubic meter equals 1,000 kilograms of volumetric weight.

Chargeable Weight

The chargeable weight is the number your carrier uses to set your price. It is simply the higher value between your actual weight and your volumetric weight. If your cargo is heavy but small, you pay by actual weight. If your cargo is light but bulky, you pay by volumetric weight. Understanding chargeable weight is also important when determining your shipment's freight class, which carriers use for LTL pricing.

Standard Shipping Container Sizes

Most ocean freight moves in one of three common containers:

  • 20 ft Standard: about 33 cubic meters of space inside.
  • 40 ft Standard: about 67 cubic meters of space inside.
  • 40 ft High Cube: about 76 cubic meters of space inside. It is one foot taller than the standard 40 ft container, which makes it a good pick for tall or bulky cargo.

Knowing which container fits your shipment helps you pick the right size and avoid paying for empty space.

Formulas used

CBM (Cubic Meters)
\text{CBM} = \frac{L_{\text{cm}} \times W_{\text{cm}} \times H_{\text{cm}}}{1{,}000{,}000}
Cubic Feet
\text{ft}^3 = \frac{L_{\text{cm}} \times W_{\text{cm}} \times H_{\text{cm}}}{28{,}316.846592}
Cubic Yards
\text{yd}^3 = \frac{L_{\text{cm}} \times W_{\text{cm}} \times H_{\text{cm}}}{764{,}554.857984}
Volumetric Weight — Air Freight
W_{\text{vol,air}} = \frac{L_{\text{cm}} \times W_{\text{cm}} \times H_{\text{cm}}}{5000} \times Q
Volumetric Weight — Sea Freight
W_{\text{vol,sea}} = \text{CBM} \times 1000 \;\text{kg}
Chargeable Weight
W_{\text{chargeable}} = \max\!\left(W_{\text{actual}},\; W_{\text{volumetric}}\right)
Container Carton Fit (best orientation)
N = \max_{\text{orientations}} \left( \left\lfloor \frac{L_C}{d_1} \right\rfloor \times \left\lfloor \frac{W_C}{d_2} \right\rfloor \times \left\lfloor \frac{H_C}{d_3} \right\rfloor \right)

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate CBM from centimeters?

Multiply the length × width × height of your box in centimeters, then divide by 1,000,000. For example, a box that is 100 cm × 80 cm × 60 cm equals 480,000 cm³. Divide by 1,000,000 to get 0.48 CBM. Our calculator does this math for you automatically.

How do I calculate CBM from inches?

Multiply the length × width × height in inches to get cubic inches. Then divide by 61,023.7 to convert to cubic meters. Or simply select "Imperial" and "inches" in our calculator, enter your dimensions, and it will give you the CBM right away.

What is the difference between CBM and cubic feet?

CBM means cubic meters and is the standard unit in international shipping. Cubic feet (ft³) is the imperial version. One cubic meter equals about 35.315 cubic feet. Our calculator shows both so you can use whichever one you need.

Why is my volumetric weight higher than my actual weight?

This happens when your package is large but light. Carriers charge based on the space your cargo takes up, not just how heavy it is. If your box is big and mostly filled with light items like pillows or foam, the volumetric weight will be higher. You will be charged the higher number.

What does the divisor 5000 mean in air freight?

The number 5,000 is the dimensional weight factor used by most air freight carriers. You multiply length × width × height in centimeters and divide by 5,000 to get the volumetric weight in kilograms. This factor means that every 5,000 cubic centimeters counts as 1 kilogram of space.

Can I mix different box sizes in one calculation?

Yes. Click the "Multiple Products" tab at the top of the calculator. You can add as many different box sizes as you need. Each row lets you set its own dimensions, unit, weight, and quantity. The calculator adds them all up and gives you one combined total.

What does the container capacity result mean?

In single product mode, it shows how many cartons of your box physically fit inside each container using the best orientation. In multiple product mode, it shows how many full copies of your combined shipment fit by volume. It helps you pick the right container size.

What is the difference between total and per unit results?

When the "Show totals" toggle is on, results are multiplied by your quantity to show the full shipment. When it is off, results show the volume and weight for just one package. This toggle only appears in single product mode.

Does the container calculation account for stacking or gaps?

The calculator uses the internal dimensions of each container and tries all six orientations of your box to find the best fit. However, it does not account for pallet frames, gaps between boxes, or weight limits. Real-world loading may fit slightly fewer cartons.

What is footprint area and why is it shown?

Footprint area is the length × width of your package shown in square feet. It tells you how much floor space your cargo covers. This is useful when planning warehouse storage or figuring out how packages sit on a pallet or truck floor.

How do I calculate CBM for a pallet shipment?

Measure the total length, width, and height of the loaded pallet, including the pallet itself. Enter those dimensions in the calculator with a quantity of 1. If you have multiple pallets of the same size, increase the quantity or use the multiple products tab for different pallet sizes.

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