How many kg is 1 CBM in freight?
There is no single physical answer; it depends on what you ship. For freight charges, carriers use fixed conversion factors: sea freight LCL: 1 CBM = 1,000 kg (“weight or measure”), air freight: 1 CBM ≈ 167 kg (÷6000), express courier: 1 CBM = 200 kg (÷5000), and European road freight often 1 CBM = 333 kg. You pay on the higher of actual weight and this volume weight.
Conversion factors by mode
| Mode | 1 CBM counts as | Common rule |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight LCL | 1,000 kg | 1 CBM = 1 revenue ton (W/M) |
| Road freight (Europe, groupage) | ≈ 333 kg | 1 : 3 |
| Air freight | ≈ 167 kg | L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6,000 |
| Express courier | 200 kg | L × W × H (cm) ÷ 5,000 |
Factors vary by carrier, route and contract. Check your rate sheet.
Worked example
A shipment of 3.2 CBM weighing 1,400 kg:
- Sea LCL: volume = 3.2 revenue tons, weight = 1.4 tons → charged on 3.2 W/M.
- Air: volume weight = 3.2 × 167 ≈ 533 kg, actual 1,400 kg → charged on 1,400 kg.
Light, bulky cargo is charged by volume; dense cargo by weight. Use the CBM calculator to see all modes at once.
Actual weight of 1 CBM of goods
If you want the real weight of one cubic meter of your product, weigh a packed carton and divide by its CBM. For example, a 0.096 CBM carton weighing 12 kg has a density of 125 kg per CBM, so 1 CBM of that product weighs about 125 kg. That density also tells you whether a container will weigh out or cube out.
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 CBM equal to 1000 kg?
Only as a sea freight charging rule (W/M). The real weight of 1 CBM depends on the goods: 1 CBM of water weighs 1,000 kg, 1 CBM of clothing perhaps 150–300 kg.
What is W/M in shipping?
Weight or Measure: the carrier charges on either the weight in tonnes or the volume in CBM, whichever is greater.
How do I convert CBM to volumetric weight for air freight?
Multiply CBM by 166.67 (the ÷6000 rule), or calculate L × W × H in cm ÷ 6,000 per package.