CBM Calculator & Volumetric Weight Calculator
Work out cubic metres, volumetric weight and chargeable weight for sea, air and courier shipments — and see which container fits.
How to calculate CBM for your shipment
CBM (cubic metre) is the standard unit of volume in international shipping. To calculate it, measure each package in metres and multiply length × width × height. If you measure in centimetres, divide the result by 1,000,000.
Example: 20 cartons measuring 60 × 40 × 50 cm. One carton = 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.5 = 0.12 CBM. Total = 0.12 × 20 = 2.4 CBM.
Volumetric and chargeable weight explained
Air and courier carriers charge on chargeable weight: the greater of the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight. For air freight, volumetric weight is length × width × height in cm divided by 6,000 (equivalent to 167 kg per CBM). Express courier services usually divide by 5,000.
In the example above, 2.4 CBM equals 400 kg volumetric weight for air freight. If the cartons weigh 10 kg each (200 kg in total), you would be charged for 400 kg. Packing more efficiently is one of the easiest ways to reduce freight costs.
Sea freight: LCL vs FCL
For LCL shipments, sea freight is charged per revenue tonne (W/M) — the greater of the volume in CBM or the weight in tonnes. Once your cargo reaches roughly 15 CBM, compare the LCL cost with a full 20ft container through our ocean freight service.
| Container | Approx. internal size (L × W × H) | Capacity | Practical load |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ~33 CBM | 25–28 CBM |
| 40ft standard | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ~67 CBM | 55–58 CBM |
| 40ft High Cube | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | ~76 CBM | 65–68 CBM |
Figures are approximate and vary by container type, carrier and how well your cargo stacks. Weight limits also apply.
Calculator FAQs
Multiply length × width × height in metres. For a carton of 60 × 40 × 50 cm: 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.5 = 0.12 CBM. Multiply by the number of cartons to get the total shipment volume.
Airlines charge for space as well as weight. Volumetric weight is calculated as length × width × height in centimetres divided by 6,000. You pay on whichever is greater: actual or volumetric weight.
W/M stands for weight or measurement. LCL sea freight is charged per revenue tonne, which is the greater of the volume in cubic metres or the weight in tonnes (1,000 kg).
As a practical guide, a 20ft container holds around 25–28 CBM of cargo, a 40ft around 55–58 CBM and a 40ft High Cube around 65–68 CBM, depending on how well the cargo stacks.
Know your volume? Get your freight quote
Send us your CBM and weight and we will compare LCL, FCL and air options for you.