CBM Calculator for Shipping and Freight
Calculate total shipment volume in cubic metres (CBM), cubic feet (CFT), actual mass and estimated dimensional weight. Add multiple carton types and compare theoretical 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high-cube container utilisation.
Carton dimensions and quantities
Example values — replace with your own measurements.
| Product | Length | Width | Height | Unit | Weight per carton | Weight unit | Quantity | Remove |
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Shipment results
Calculation:Containers
Container figures are volume-only planning estimates: they ignore item fit, pallets, load securing, payload limits, door clearance and carrier-specific equipment. Actual chargeable weight also depends on contract rules.
Calculation: CBM Calculator for Shipping and Freight
Calculate total shipment volume in cubic metres (CBM), cubic feet (CFT), actual mass and estimated dimensional weight. Add multiple carton types and compare theoretical 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high-cube container utilisation.
Cargo calculator
- Enter the dimensions, unit of measurement, weight per carton and quantity.
- Add rows for other carton sizes or products; adjust the dimensional divisor if the carrier specifies one.
- Review CBM, CFT, mass, estimated chargeable weight and container-volume percentages; download the CSV if needed.
How to calculate CBM for shipping
CBM stands for cubic metres. Convert length, width and height to metres, multiply the three values to find one carton's volume, and multiply by the number of identical cartons. For a mixed shipment, repeat for each carton size and add the results. The calculator handles millimetres, centimetres, metres, inches, feet and yards, so you do not need to convert dimensions manually.
CBM formula with a worked example
A carton measuring 60 cm × 40 cm × 40 cm occupies 0.096 m³. For 200 identical cartons, the total is 19.2 m³ (about 678.04 ft³). If each carton weighs 25 kg, the shipment weighs 5,000 kg. These are measurements, not a carrier quote or an actual container loading diagram.
Actual weight versus dimensional weight
Dimensional weight accounts for the space occupied by a light but bulky shipment. For centimetre inputs, one commonly used courier calculation divides length × width × height by 5,000 to obtain kilograms. Different couriers or air cargo contracts can use other divisors and rounding rules. Set your carrier's agreed divisor and compare it with the total actual weight.
Estimating container utilisation
The reference volumes used here are approximately 33.2 m³ for a 20 ft dry container, 67.7 m³ for a 40 ft dry container, and 76.3 m³ for a 40 ft high cube. The results show volume utilisation and a separate planning count at your chosen assumed fill percentage. Packing geometry, stacking strength, pallets, door clearance, payload restrictions and individual container dimensions can all change actual suitability.
Frequently asked questions
What does CBM mean?
CBM is cubic metres (m³), a unit measuring three-dimensional space occupied by cargo.
How many cubic feet equal one CBM?
One cubic metre equals approximately 35.3147 cubic feet.
Can CBM alone tell me how many cartons physically fit?
No. It measures volume, but actual packing depends on carton geometry, loading orientation, clearances and weight restrictions.
Technical reference: DSV container dimension guide and DHL volumetric-weight explanation. Published equipment and pricing factors vary.