CBM Calculator (Cubic Meter Shipping Volume)

Calculate total shipment volume in cubic meters (CBM) and cubic feet across multiple cargo rows.

Instant calculationAuditable formulasZero sign-up

Precision Output

Live Calculation Results

Primary Result

Total shipment volume

11.520 m³

11.520 CBM

Total volume: 11.520 m³406.825 ft³
Total pieces: 120
Total gross weight: 2,160.00 kg
Shipment density: 187.50 kg/m³11.71 lb/ft³

What this means

120 pieces occupy 11.520 m³ in total, measured on packed outer dimensions.
Total gross weight is 2,160.00 kg, so the shipment density is 187.50 kg/m³.

Volume by row
Row	CBM per piece	Pieces	CBM total
Row 1	0.0960	120	11.520

Assumptions used

CBM = length × width × height × quantity, after converting every dimension to metres.

Turn volume and weight into density →Use this volume for an LCL estimate →Check air chargeable weight →

Planning Notice & Scope Boundary

Shipment CBM is calculated from user-entered dimensions. Carriers measure outermost package bulges.

Auditable Mathematics

Formula & Calculation Methodology

CBM = (Length × Width × Height in meters) × Quantity. Converts automatically from mm, cm, m, inches, and feet.

CBM = (L * W * H in meters) * Quantity

Variable Definitions & Unit Basis
Variable	Definition & Basis
L, W, H	Outer package dimensions converted into meters
Qty	Total carton or piece count for that row
Total CBM	Sum of CBM across all cargo lines

Engine Audit Trail

Worked Example: Multi-Carton Export Shipment

An exporter has 50 cartons measuring 60 × 40 × 40 cm and 20 cartons measuring 50 × 50 × 30 cm.

Input Parameters

Line 1 Cartons50 cartons @ 60 × 40 × 40 cm
Line 2 Cartons20 cartons @ 50 × 50 × 30 cm

Step-by-Step Calculation Breakdown

1Line 1 CBM: 0.60 m × 0.40 m × 0.40 m × 50 = 4.80 CBM.
2Line 2 CBM: 0.50 m × 0.50 m × 0.30 m × 20 = 1.50 CBM.
3Total Shipment CBM: 4.80 + 1.50 = 6.30 CBM.
4Equivalent cubic feet: 6.30 × 35.3147 = 222.48 ft³.

Verified Engine Result: Total Shipment Volume6.300 CBM

70 total cartons, 222.48 ft³.

Assumptions Used

Volume reflects gross exterior carton measurements.
Dimensions are converted internally to canonical meters before multiplication.
Does not account for pallet base volume unless a pallet line is added.

Important Limitations

Cargo CBM reflects carton displacement, not necessarily container fill efficiency.
Irregular shapes and bulging boxes will occupy more space than nominal dimensions.

Primary Documentation

Authoritative Standards & Sources

Freight forwarding / ocean tariff practiceVerified: 2026-10-06

Weight or Measure (W/M) and revenue ton ↗

LCL freight is commonly rated per revenue ton: the greater of cubic metres or metric tonnes.

Ocean container lines (reference: Maersk dry container specifications)Verified: 2026-10-06

Dry container reference specifications — 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high cube ↗

Internal dimensions, door openings and approximate payloads were taken as representative planning figures. Carriers publish slightly different values per equipment type and manufacturer.

Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CBM stand for?

CBM stands for Cubic Meter (m³). It is the standard metric measurement unit for freight volume in international ocean shipping, air cargo, and logistics.

How do you calculate CBM from inches?

Multiply Length × Width × Height in inches, divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, and then divide by 35.3147 (or multiply inches by 0.0254 to convert to meters before multiplying).

How many CBM fit into a 20ft container?

A standard 20ft dry container has a nominal interior volume of ~33.2 CBM, but realistically accommodates 25 to 28 CBM of packed cartons depending on carton dimensions and stacking.

Sequential Planning Flow