CBM Calculator
A free freight volume calculator. Enter carton or pallet outer dimensions and quantities — get total CBM (cubic metres) per line, sea freight volumetric weight (CBM × 1,000 kg), air freight dimensional weight (CBM × 167 kg), and a copyable freight planning note. Multiple product lines, mixed units (cm, m, in, ft). Built for LCL sea freight quotes, air freight, container load planning, and landed cost pricing.
Enter the outer dimensions of each carton type and quantity — get total shipping volume in m³ for your LCL freight quote.
Carton dimensions
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Formula
CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m)
Convert all dimensions to metres first, then multiply. For multiple items: sum each item's volume × quantity. Example: 60cm × 40cm × 50cm = 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.5 = 0.12 m³.
Worked Example
Scenario: Shipment of 3 different carton sizes for an LCL sea freight quote.
Carton A: 60×40×50cm × 20 units = 0.12 m³ × 20 = 2.40 m³
Carton B: 80×60×60cm × 10 units = 0.288 m³ × 10 = 2.88 m³
Carton C: 40×30×30cm × 50 units = 0.036 m³ × 50 = 1.80 m³
Total: 7.08 m³
At a freight rate of £85/m³, the shipping cost would be 7.08 × £85 = £601.80.
Common Mistakes
- Mixing units. Entering some dimensions in cm and others in metres gives wrong results. Set the unit selector and use it consistently for all items.
- Using inner dimensions instead of outer. Freight is charged on the outer carton dimensions, not the product size inside.
- Forgetting to multiply by quantity. If you have 20 identical cartons, enter 20 in the Qty field — the total CBM is per unit × quantity.
Guide
How to Use
- 1
Select your unit
Choose cm, m, in, or ft. All values are converted to metres automatically.
- 2
Enter outer carton dimensions
Measure length, width, and height of each carton or pallet type.
- 3
Set the quantity
Enter the number of identical units. CBM per item is multiplied by quantity.
- 4
Add more items if needed
Click "Add item" for each different carton or SKU type in your shipment.
- 5
Get the total
Click Calculate to see total m³ and estimated volumetric sea freight weight.
Next Steps
What to do next
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Related by Workflow
Related by Region
When to use this calculator
- →Getting your total CBM before requesting an LCL sea freight quote from a forwarder
- →Estimating whether a shipment crosses the LCL/FCL break-even threshold (~12–15 CBM)
- →Checking volumetric weight for air freight to see whether volume or weight is the chargeable basis
- →Planning a container load by summing CBM across multiple carton types and quantities
Example calculation
Inputs: 3 carton types · 80 units each
Carton A: 60 × 40 × 30 cm × 80 = 5.76 m³
Carton B: 50 × 35 × 25 cm × 80 = 3.50 m³
Total CBM: 9.26 m³ — LCL shipping likely, compare FCL above ~15 CBM
Always measure outer carton dimensions. Inner product dimensions are not used for freight calculation.
What is CBM and why does it matter for freight?
CBM — cubic metres — is the standard unit of measurement for shipping volume in international sea freight and air freight. Freight forwarders and carriers use CBM to quote LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments, where multiple shippers share space in a single container.
For LCL sea freight, most carriers charge per CBM or per tonne, whichever is greater. The volumetric weight shown in this calculator (CBM × 1,000 kg for sea freight) helps you estimate which pricing basis will apply. For air freight, the ratio is different: carriers typically use CBM × 167 kg (or 1 cubic metre = 167 kg chargeable weight).
Knowing your CBM before contacting a freight forwarder lets you compare quotes on equal terms and avoids unexpected charges at origin or destination.
How CBM is calculated — and what affects your freight charge
Measure outer dimensions, not inner
CBM is calculated from the outer carton — the assembled, sealed shipping box. Inner product dimensions, void fill, and internal dividers are irrelevant. The carrier charges on the space the carton physically occupies in the container or aircraft hold.
Cartons vs pallets
For loose carton shipments, measure each carton type and enter the quantity. For palletised cargo, measure the pallet footprint (including pallet boards) and total stacked height — not individual carton dimensions. Carriers charge on pallet space, not what is stacked inside.
LCL vs FCL planning
LCL (Less than Container Load) charges per CBM or per tonne, whichever is greater. FCL (Full Container Load) rents a whole container at a flat rate. LCL is typically more economical below 10–12 CBM; above 15 CBM, comparing FCL rates is worthwhile. The exact crossover depends on the trade lane.
Freight charges beyond CBM
CBM covers the ocean or air leg only. Origin port handling, destination charges, customs clearance, fuel surcharges, and local delivery are typically quoted separately. Always request a complete all-in quote from your forwarder — not just the per-CBM rate.
Container planning reference
General planning guidance only — actual usable capacity varies by cargo type, packing method, and weight limits. Always confirm with your freight forwarder.
| Container type | Internal volume | Typical usable CBM |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard (TEU) | ~33 CBM | 25–28 CBM |
| 40ft standard (FEU) | ~67 CBM | 55–58 CBM |
| 40ft high cube (40HC) | ~76 CBM | 68–72 CBM |
| 20ft refrigerated | ~28 CBM | 22–25 CBM |
Weight limits frequently restrict loading before volume capacity is reached — a 20ft container has a maximum payload of ~28 tonnes. Dense cargo often hits the weight limit well before filling the container.
Air freight dimensional weight — how it differs from sea freight
Sea freight and air freight use different volumetric weight conversions. For sea freight LCL, the standard is 1 CBM = 1,000 kg chargeable weight. For air freight, most carriers use 1 CBM = 167 kg (equivalent to 1 kg per 6,000 cm³ — the IATA standard). Some express carriers use 1 kg per 5,000 cm³ (1 CBM = 200 kg).
The result box above shows both figures for your shipment. Compare the dimensional weight against your actual gross weight: carriers charge whichever is higher. Light, bulky goods (foam, hollow products, inflatable items) will almost always be charged on dimensional weight. Dense goods (metal parts, machinery, liquids) are usually charged on actual weight.
Air freight rates per kg are significantly higher than sea freight rates per CBM, so even a modest CBM can result in a large dimensional weight charge for bulky goods. Use the CBM figure to estimate dimensional weight before requesting an air freight quote.
Sea freight (LCL standard)
1 CBM = 1,000 kg volumetric weight
Carrier charges: max(actual weight, CBM × 1,000 kg)
Dense cargo often charged on actual weight
Air freight (IATA standard)
1 CBM = 167 kg dimensional weight (6,000 cm³/kg)
Carrier charges: max(actual weight, L×W×H cm³ ÷ 6,000)
Bulky goods almost always charged on dim weight
Planning the delivery timeline?
After calculating CBM and requesting freight quotes, use these tools to plan your delivery window and supplier payment dates.
Checking margin on landed cost?
Once you have your CBM and a freight rate per CBM from your forwarder, add the freight cost to your landed cost to check whether the margin on the product still works. The Margin Calculator lets you enter cost and selling price to get gross margin percentage and profit amount.
Common calculations
How do I calculate CBM for a sea freight LCL shipment?
Measure outer carton: Length × Width × Height (in metres). Multiply by quantity. Example: 60 cm × 40 cm × 30 cm × 100 cartons = 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.3 × 100 = 7.2 CBM. Enter dimensions in the calculator above — it handles cm, m, inches, and ft automatically.
When does LCL become more expensive than FCL?
The rough LCL/FCL break-even is 10–15 CBM. A 20ft container holds 25–28 usable CBM; a 40ft holds 55–58 CBM. Below 10 CBM, LCL (shared container) is typically more cost-effective. Above 15 CBM, request FCL quotes and compare. The exact crossover depends on the trade lane and current market rates.
How do I calculate CBM volumetric weight for sea freight?
Sea freight volumetric weight = CBM × 1,000 kg. Example: 5 CBM × 1,000 = 5,000 kg volumetric weight. Carriers charge whichever is higher — actual gross weight or volumetric weight. The calculator above shows both figures in the result.
How do I calculate air freight dimensional weight from CBM?
Air freight dimensional weight = CBM × 167 kg (IATA standard: 1 kg per 6,000 cm³). Example: 2 CBM × 167 = 334 kg dimensional weight. Compare against actual gross weight — the higher figure is the chargeable weight.
How many cartons fit in a 20ft container?
A 20ft dry container has approximately 25–28 usable CBM. Divide total CBM by the usable capacity to estimate fill. Example: 10 CBM shipment fills roughly 36–40% of a 20ft container. Use the calculator to get your total CBM, then compare against the container reference table above.
Common freight CBM questions answered
How many CBM in a 20ft container?
A standard 20ft dry container has an internal volume of approximately 25–28 CBM (internal dimensions roughly 5.9m × 2.35m × 2.39m). Usable capacity is typically 25–26 CBM once you account for packing and weight restrictions.
How many CBM in a 40ft container?
A standard 40ft dry container holds approximately 55–67 CBM (internal dimensions roughly 12m × 2.35m × 2.39m). A 40ft High Cube container offers slightly more height (2.69m internally) for around 72–76 CBM.
What is the LCL vs FCL CBM break-even?
The rough breakeven is 10–15 CBM. Below 10 CBM, LCL (shared container) is typically cheaper. Above 15 CBM, comparing LCL and FCL rates is worthwhile — FCL becomes more cost-effective as volume approaches a full 20ft container.
How is air freight dimensional weight calculated from CBM?
Air freight dimensional weight uses the IATA standard: 1 CBM = 167 kg. In cm³: dimensional weight (kg) = L × W × H ÷ 6,000. Carriers charge whichever is higher — actual weight or dimensional weight.
Next Steps
Planning the next step?
Logistics workflow
Quote a shipment — step by step
CBM is the first number you need. Once you have it, the rest of the shipment workflow follows a predictable sequence: confirm the delivery window, check whether the timeline lands on a working day, and verify the margin is still sound after adding freight.
- 1Calculate total CBM for the shipment
You are here — outer carton dimensions × quantities
- 2Find the delivery or shipment deadline
Dispatch date + transit days → expected arrival
- 3Adjust for weekends and public holidays
Confirms the delivery date is an actual operating day
- 4Count working days in the shipping window
Useful for lead time planning and supplier commitments
- 5Check gross margin after adding freight cost
Cost + freight → sell price → margin %
- 6Set the supplier invoice due date
Net 30 / 60 / 90 from the invoice date
Decision guide
Which calculator do you need?
Guides
Related planning guides
For a complete logistics planning walkthrough — carton measurement, LCL vs FCL, volumetric weight, and shipping timelines — see the CBM Freight Planning Guide. For deadline and working day planning more broadly, see the Business Deadline Planning Guide.
Planning the shipment workflow?
Use the CBM and deadline tools for early planning, then confirm freight, carrier cut-offs and shipment details with your logistics provider.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Popular calculations