Multi-Package CBM & Volumetric Weight Calculator
Calculate exact Cubic Meters (CBM), Cubic Feet (CFT), Total Gross Mass, and IATA / Courier / Sea Chargeable Weights.
| # | Package Description / SKU | Package Type | Length (cm) | Width (cm) | Height (cm) | Unit Weight (kg) | Quantity | Line Volume | Total Weight | Actions |
|---|
Air Freight (IATA 1:6000)
Courier / Express (1:5000)
Sea Freight LCL (1:1000 W/M)
Container Loading Simulator
Full Equipment Fleet Capability Comparison Calculated with active consignment
How to calculate CBM (cubic metres)
CBM is the volume a shipment occupies, in cubic metres. Freight forwarders use it to price less-than-container (LCL) sea freight and to check how much cargo fits in a container. The formula is the same for any box-shaped package:
CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) × Number of cartons
If your dimensions are in centimetres, divide the product by 1,000,000. If they are in inches, multiply the product in cubic inches by 0.000016387. Always measure the outside of the carton, including any bulge, and round up rather than down: carriers measure the same way.
Worked example
A shipment of 120 cartons, each 60 × 40 × 50 cm.
One carton: 0.60 × 0.40 × 0.50 = 0.12 m³. Total: 0.12 × 120 = 14.4 m³. That is too much for most LCL rates to be economical and roughly half of a 20-foot container's usable space.
How much fits in a shipping container?
| Container | Internal size (approx.) | Internal volume | Realistic loadable volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard (GP) | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ≈ 33 m³ | ≈ 25–28 m³ |
| 40ft Standard (GP) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ≈ 67 m³ | ≈ 55–58 m³ |
| 40ft High Cube (HC) | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | ≈ 76 m³ | ≈ 65–68 m³ |
Loadable volume is lower than internal volume because cartons never fill every gap, and doors, corrugations and pallets take space. Weight often limits the load before volume does: dense goods such as tiles, stone or steel reach the container's payload limit long before it is full. Exact dimensions vary by manufacturer; see the container specifications library.
CBM, chargeable weight and freight cost
- Sea freight LCL is charged per “revenue ton” (W/M): 1 m³ or 1,000 kg, whichever is greater. A 2 m³ shipment weighing 800 kg is charged as 2 revenue tons.
- Air freight uses volumetric weight, commonly L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6,000, so 1 m³ counts as about 167 kg. The higher of actual and volumetric weight is charged.
- Express courier services usually divide by 5,000, so 1 m³ counts as 200 kg.
- Full container (FCL) is priced per container, so CBM matters only for choosing the right size and planning the load.
Once you know the volume, compare FCL and LCL costs in the landed cost calculator, or plan pallets with the 3D pallet calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert centimetres to CBM?
Multiply length × width × height in centimetres and divide by 1,000,000. A 50 × 40 × 30 cm carton is 60,000 cm³, or 0.06 m³.
How many CBM is a 20ft container?
The internal volume is about 33 m³, but a realistic load is 25–28 m³ because cartons cannot fill every gap.
How many CBM is a 40ft container?
A 40ft standard container holds about 67 m³ internally, with 55–58 m³ usually loadable. A 40ft High Cube holds about 76 m³, with 65–68 m³ loadable.
When is FCL cheaper than LCL?
As a rule of thumb, once a shipment passes about 13–15 m³ a 20ft container is often cheaper than paying LCL per cubic metre, but it depends on the route and current rates. Always compare both quotes.
What is a revenue ton?
It is the billing unit for LCL sea freight: 1 cubic metre or 1,000 kg, whichever is greater. It stops shippers of light, bulky cargo paying only for weight.