CBM Calculator & CBM to CFT
Cubic meters, cubic feet and chargeable weight for sea freight, air freight and courier shipments, plus a CBM ↔ CFT converter and how much of a container you need.
1Carton details
2Container space by volume
Volume only — real loads leave gaps. Get a 3D loading plan for this carton →
3CBM to CFT converter
1 CBM = 35.315 cubic feet · 1 cubic foot = 0.0283 CBM · Cubic feet calculator →
How to calculate CBM
CBM (cubic meter) is length × width × height in meters. For a carton of 60 × 40 × 40 cm: 0.60 × 0.40 × 0.40 = 0.096 m³. Multiply by the number of cartons for the total shipment volume. In inches, divide cubic inches by 61,024 to get CBM, or by 1,728 to get cubic feet.
How to convert CBM to CFT
Multiply cubic meters by 35.315 to get cubic feet (CFT or CBF), and divide cubic feet by 35.315 to get CBM. For example, 2.5 CBM × 35.315 = 88.3 ft³, and 100 ft³ ÷ 35.315 = 2.83 CBM.
What is chargeable weight?
Carriers charge on actual weight or volume weight, whichever is higher.
- Sea freight LCL: 1 CBM = 1,000 kg (“weight or measure”, W/M). You pay for the larger of total CBM or gross weight in tonnes.
- Air freight: volumetric weight = L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6,000.
- Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS): usually L × W × H (cm) ÷ 5,000.
Divisors can differ by carrier and contract. Check your rate sheet.
How many CBM fit in a container?
A 20ft container has about 33 m³ of internal space, a 40ft about 67 m³ and a 40ft high cube about 76 m³. Real-world loads typically fit 25–28, 55–60 and 65–70 m³ of cartons respectively. See container dimensions for details.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate CBM?
Multiply length × width × height in meters. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton is 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.4 = 0.096 CBM. Multiply by the number of cartons for the total.
How is chargeable weight calculated for air freight?
Air freight volumetric weight is usually length × width × height in cm divided by 6,000. The carrier charges the higher of volumetric weight and actual gross weight.
How do I convert CBM to CFT?
Multiply cubic meters by 35.3147 to get cubic feet. See the CBM to CFT converter and chart, or what CBM means.
How many CBM fit in a 20ft container?
A 20ft container has about 33.1 CBM of internal space; typical carton loads use around 25–28 CBM.