CBM Calculator for Shipping
Calculate the cubic meter (CBM) measurement for your packages and shipping containers. Essential for freight costing and container optimization.
Calculate Your CBM Calculator for Shipping
What is CBM?
CBM stands for Cubic Meter, which is a unit of volume measurement commonly used in shipping and international logistics. It's a standard way to calculate the volume of cargo for shipping purposes, as freight costs are often based on either weight or volume, whichever yields the higher charge.
How is CBM Calculated?
CBM is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of a package or shipment in meters. The formula is:
CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m)
If your measurements are in centimeters, inches, or feet, you'll need to convert them to meters first, or use the appropriate conversion factor.
Why is CBM Important in Shipping?
- Freight Charges: Shipping companies calculate costs based on either weight (in kilograms) or volume (in cubic meters), using the principle of "whichever is greater."
- Container Utilization: Understanding the CBM of your shipment helps you maximize container space and potentially reduce shipping costs.
- Warehouse Planning: CBM calculations are crucial for warehouse space planning and inventory management.
- Documentation: Accurate CBM information is required on shipping documents and for customs declarations.
Common CBM Conversion Factors
| From | To CBM (m³) | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic Centimeter (cm³) | Cubic Meter (m³) | 0.000001 |
| Cubic Inch (in³) | Cubic Meter (m³) | 0.000016387064 |
| Cubic Foot (ft³) | Cubic Meter (m³) | 0.028316846592 |
CBM in Container Shipping
Standard shipping containers have specific CBM capacities:
- 20ft Container: Approximately 33 CBM
- 40ft Container: Approximately 67 CBM
- 40ft High Cube Container: Approximately 76 CBM
Tips for Optimizing Shipping Costs
- Measure your cargo accurately to avoid discrepancies and additional charges.
- Consider disassembling products if possible to reduce volume.
- Use appropriately sized packaging to minimize wasted space.
- Consolidate small shipments when possible.
- Be aware of the CBM-to-weight ratio for your specific freight type.
Our CBM Calculator
Our calculator allows you to easily compute the CBM for your shipments by entering the dimensions and quantity of your packages. It provides both per-item volume and total volume, helping you plan your logistics more efficiently.
Related Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
CBM stands for Cubic Meter, which is a volume measurement used in the shipping and freight industry. It represents how much space a shipment occupies in a container, truck, or vessel. CBM is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of an item or package in meters.
To calculate CBM for multiple boxes:
- Calculate the CBM for each box using the formula: Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m)
- Multiply each box's CBM by the quantity of that box type
- Add all the individual CBM values to get the total CBM for your shipment
Our calculator simplifies this by allowing you to enter dimensions and quantity for a package type.
CBM is crucial for shipping costs because freight charges are typically calculated based on either the actual weight (in kilograms) or the volumetric weight (derived from CBM), whichever is greater. This pricing model is known as the "chargeable weight" principle. Volumetric weight becomes especially important for lightweight but bulky items that take up significant space despite being light.
CBM cannot be directly converted to kilograms since one is a measure of volume and the other is a measure of weight. However, shipping companies use a concept called "volumetric weight" to convert volume to a weight equivalent.
The standard conversion used by many shipping companies is:
Volumetric Weight (kg) = CBM × 167
This means 1 CBM is considered equivalent to 167 kg for air freight. For sea freight, different factors may apply.
The CBM capacity of standard shipping containers is approximately:
- 20ft Container: 33 CBM of usable space
- 40ft Container: 67 CBM of usable space
- 40ft High Cube Container: 76 CBM of usable space
Note that these are theoretical maximums. Practical loading typically achieves 80-85% of these volumes due to loading constraints, package shapes, and the need for securing cargo.
Yes, CBM is calculated using dimensions in meters. If your measurements are in other units like centimeters, inches, or feet, you need to convert them to meters first. Our calculator does this conversion automatically - you can select your preferred unit of measurement, and it will convert to cubic meters in the results.
Actual weight is the physical weight of your shipment as measured on a scale, expressed in kilograms or pounds.
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) is a calculated value that reflects the density of a package. It's determined by multiplying the length, width, and height of a package and dividing by a dimensional factor.
Shipping companies charge based on whichever is higher: the actual weight or the volumetric weight. This prevents them from losing money on lightweight but bulky items that take up valuable space in their vehicles.
Share This Calculator
Found this calculator helpful? Share it with your friends and colleagues!