CBM Calculator
Calculate cubic metres for shipping and warehousing. Get volume weight, container fill percentages, and chargeable weight instantly.
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CBM and Dimensional Weight Explained
CBM (Cubic Metre) is calculated as Length x Width x Height in metres. Freight carriers charge by the greater of actual weight or volumetric (dimensional) weight. For air freight the standard divisor is 6000 (i.e. 1 CBM = 166.67 kg) or the IATA factor of 250 kg/CBM. For sea freight, 1 CBM = 1000 kg (1 freight tonne). A standard 20ft container holds approximately 33.2 CBM (max payload ~28,200 kg), while a 40ft standard holds ~67.7 CBM (max payload ~28,800 kg). Always check whether your carrier uses inside or outside dimensions for container capacity.
For reference only. Always confirm dimensions with your freight forwarder. Learn about AP Automation
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About CBM and Dimensional Weight
CBM (Cubic Metre) is the standard unit of measurement for shipping volume. It is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of a package in metres. Freight carriers use CBM to determine how much space cargo occupies in a container, truck, or aircraft.
Dimensional (volumetric) weight converts volume into a weight equivalent so carriers can charge fairly for lightweight but bulky items. For air freight, the standard conversion is 1 CBM = 167-250 kg depending on the carrier. For sea freight, 1 CBM = 1,000 kg (1 revenue tonne). The chargeable weight is always the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight.
A standard 20ft shipping container has approximately 33.2 CBM of usable space (internal dimensions 5.90m x 2.35m x 2.39m), while a 40ft standard container offers roughly 67.7 CBM. High cube containers add an extra 30cm of height. When planning shipments, aim for at least 80% container utilisation to justify full container load (FCL) pricing over less-than-container load (LCL).
How to use this CBM calculator
- Select your measurement unit (cm, m, or inches).
- Enter dimensions for a single item or switch to multi-item mode for mixed shipments.
- Optionally enter the actual weight to compare against volume weight and determine chargeable weight.
- Review container fill percentages to decide between FCL and LCL shipping.
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