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Landed cost and logistics
CBM calculator: cubic meters and container space
Enter the carton size in centimeters, the number of cartons and the weight of each. You get total CBM and an estimate of how many containers the load fills.
CBM is length times width times height in meters, multiplied by the number of cartons. At the default numbers the load is 24.00 CBM and 4,500 kilograms.
Written by Procurement VMS Editorial Team · Reviewed by Michael, Procurement Advisor Expert · Updated
Your numbers
The boxes start with an example so you can see how it works. Replace them with your own figures.
Your result
The load is 24.00 CBM. It fills 41% of one 40 foot container. By volume that is 1 twenty foot, 1 forty foot or 1 forty foot high cube containers. Ask your forwarder about less than container load rates if the fill is low.
| Volume of one carton | 0.096 CBM |
|---|---|
| Total volume | 24.00 CBM |
| Total weight | 4,500 kg |
| 20 foot containers needed | 1 |
| 40 foot containers needed | 1 |
| 40 foot high cube containers needed | 1 |
| Fill of one 40 foot container | 41% |
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How the CBM calculator works
The formula
CBM per carton = length x width x height in centimeters / 1,000,000. Total CBM = CBM per carton x number of cartons.
CBM stands for cubic meter, the unit freight forwarders use to price ocean and consolidated cargo. Knowing the figure before you book lets you compare a full container against shared space.
The container sizes here are planning values, set a little below the internal volume because loads never pack perfectly. Change them to match your forwarder. When a load is dense, the weight limit of the container may bind before the volume limit does.
The example numbers are illustrative and are not benchmarks. Use your own data for any decision.
How to use it with your own data
- Measure the outer size of the packed carton, not the product inside it.
- Enter the number of cartons and the gross weight of one carton.
- Compare the container counts with a less than container load quote. Below about half a container, shared space can cost less.
Mistakes that skew the answer
Measuring the product, not the carton
Freight is charged on the packed size. Use the outer dimensions with any protective packaging.
Ignoring the weight limit
A pallet of dense goods can hit the payload limit with space to spare. Check both numbers.
Assuming perfect packing
Odd carton sizes leave gaps. If the fill is 95 percent or more, plan for the next size up.
What to do with the result
Use the volume with the freight cost per unit calculator to price each unit, then place the result in the landed cost calculator. Record carton counts and weights on the packing list so the forwarder and customs see the same figures.
Questions about the CBM calculator
How do I calculate CBM?
Multiply length, width and height in meters to get cubic meters per carton, then multiply by the number of cartons. With centimeters, divide the product by 1,000,000.
How many CBM fit in a 40 foot container?
Planning figures sit around 58 CBM for a standard 40 foot container and a little more for a high cube. Real fill depends on the carton sizes and how they stack.
What is the difference between CBM and chargeable weight?
CBM is volume. Chargeable weight is the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight, used mainly for air freight. See the volumetric weight calculator.
Can I use inches?
Convert to centimeters first by multiplying inches by 2.54, or enter the figures in centimeters directly.