Free Online CBM Calculator
Use this cbm calculator to instantly work out the volume of any box, pallet or shipment as a cubic meter calculator result. Enter your dimensions in cm, m, feet or inches to calculate cbm for freight, courier or storage quotes, and see exactly how to calculate cbm by hand using the formula and worked example further down the page.
CBM Calculator
Container Capacity Quick Reference
Approximate usable CBM capacity by container size, so you know roughly how much of a container your shipment's volume will fill.
| Container | Internal Capacity | Typical Usable |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | ~33 CBM | ~25–28 CBM |
| 40ft Standard | ~67 CBM | ~54–58 CBM |
| 40ft High Cube | ~76 CBM | ~62–68 CBM |
Result
Your CBM volume, total weight and shipping-method volumetric weight will appear here once you calculate.
How to Calculate CBM: The Complete Guide
CBM stands for Cubic Meter — the standard unit that freight forwarders, couriers and warehouses use to price and plan space for a shipment. Rather than just weighing a parcel, CBM tells you exactly how much physical room it takes up, which matters just as much as weight when you're loading a container, van or storage unit.
The CBM Formula
CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m)
If your measurements aren't already in meters, convert first using whichever formula matches your unit:
- From centimeters: (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 1,000,000
- From meters: L × W × H
- From feet: (L × W × H in ft) ÷ 35.3147
- From inches: (L × W × H in inches) ÷ 61,023.7441
Worked Example
Say you have a carton measuring 100cm long, 60cm wide and 50cm high:
Step 1: 100 × 60 × 50 = 300,000 cm³
Step 2: 300,000 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.3 CBM per carton
For 20 cartons: 0.3 × 20 = 6 CBM total
This is exactly what the calculator above does the moment you add a quantity — no need to multiply it out yourself.
CBM vs. Volumetric (Chargeable) Weight
Most couriers don't just charge by CBM directly — they compare your shipment's actual weight against its volumetric weight, and bill you for whichever figure is higher. This stops large, lightweight boxes from being under-priced simply because they don't weigh much.
Volumetric weight (kg) = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 6000
A few couriers, including DHL, use 5000 instead of 6000 as the divisor — it's worth checking your specific carrier's rate card before you rely on this number for a quote.
Packing Tips to Get the Most Out of Your CBM
- Never assume 100% of a container's internal volume is usable — irregular shapes, pallets and stacking gaps typically eat up 10–15% of the space.
- Group similarly sized boxes together and stack heaviest items at the bottom to keep the load stable and space-efficient.
- If you're close to a courier's next volumetric-weight bracket, it can be cheaper to use slightly smaller packaging than to pay for wasted air.
- For recurring shipments, keep a record of your average CBM per order — it makes comparing freight quotes far quicker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Explore our advanced utility parameters and chronological tracking tools: