CBM Calculator — Cubic Meter Calculator | ContainerMetric
Calculate total CBM and CFT for single or multiple box types. Supports cm, in, and m units.
How CBM Is Calculated
CBM (Cubic Meters) is the standard unit of cargo volume in ocean and air freight. The formula is simply Length × Width × Height, with every dimension first converted to meters. A carton measuring 60 cm × 40 cm × 30 cm becomes 0.6 m × 0.4 m × 0.3 m, giving 0.072 CBM per box. Multiply by the quantity to get the line total, then add every box type together for the shipment CBM.
Many North American forwarders quote in cubic feet (CFT) instead of cubic meters. The two units are linked by an exact factor: 1 CBM = 35.3147 CFT. So the 0.072 CBM carton above equals about 2.54 CFT. This calculator reports both figures at once so you can match whichever unit appears on your rate sheet without converting by hand.
CBM matters most for LCL (Less than Container Load) bookings, where carriers bill on a weight-or-measurement (W/M) basis — you pay for whichever is greater, the actual tonnage or the volume in cubic meters. Knowing your exact CBM before you book lets you compare LCL quotes accurately and decide whether consolidating into a full container would be cheaper per unit.
FAQ
How do I calculate CBM from centimeters?
Divide each side by 100 to convert to meters, then multiply length × width × height. For example 100 cm × 50 cm × 40 cm = 1.0 × 0.5 × 0.4 = 0.2 CBM per box.
How many CBM fit in a 20ft container?
A standard 20ft container holds roughly 33 CBM of internal volume, but practical packed cargo is usually 25–28 CBM once you account for pallet gaps and dunnage.
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Related Topics
- CBM calculator
- cubic meter calculator
- CFT calculator
- shipping volume