How to calculate CBM for shipping
CBM (cubic meter) = length × width × height, all in meters. For a carton of 60 × 40 × 40 cm: 0.60 × 0.40 × 0.40 = 0.096 CBM. Multiply by the number of cartons for the shipment: 200 cartons × 0.096 = 19.2 CBM. From centimeters, divide L × W × H by 1,000,000; from inches, divide by 61,024.
CBM formulas
| Measured in | Formula for one package | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Meters | L × W × H | 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.4 = 0.096 m³ |
| Centimeters | L × W × H ÷ 1,000,000 | 60 × 40 × 40 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.096 m³ |
| Millimeters | L × W × H ÷ 1,000,000,000 | 600 × 400 × 400 ÷ 10⁹ = 0.096 m³ |
| Inches | L × W × H ÷ 61,024 | 24 × 16 × 16 ÷ 61,024 = 0.101 m³ |
| Feet | L × W × H ÷ 35.315 | 2 × 1.33 × 1.33 ÷ 35.315 = 0.100 m³ |
Step by step for a shipment
- Measure the outside dimensions of each packed carton or pallet, including any bulge or overhang.
- Calculate the CBM of one package with the formula above.
- Multiply by the quantity. Repeat for each package size and add them up.
- Compare with container capacity: a 20ft holds roughly 25–28 CBM of cartons, a 40ft 55–60 CBM and a 40HQ 65–70 CBM.
The CBM calculator does these steps for you and also gives chargeable weight for sea, air and courier.
Rounding
Carriers usually round CBM to two or three decimals, and LCL shipments are often charged with a minimum of 1 CBM. Measure generously: an extra centimeter on each side of a 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton adds about 7% to its volume.
Frequently asked questions
What is CBM in shipping?
CBM is a cubic meter (m³), the standard unit for the volume of sea freight. One CBM is a cube 1 m on each side.
How many cubic feet is one CBM?
One CBM is about 35.315 cubic feet.
How do I calculate CBM from inches?
Multiply length × width × height in inches and divide by 61,024.