CBM (Cubic Meter) Calculator
Calculate shipping volume and volumetric weight for cargo and freight.
What is CBM in Shipping?
CBM stands for Cubic Meter. It is the standard unit used to measure the volume of a shipment in international freight. Understanding your CBM is critical for calculating shipping costs, determining the space needed in a container (LCL or FCL), and understanding "Chargeable Weight."
How to Calculate CBM Manually
The basic formula for CBM calculation is: Length × Width × Height = Volume.
- In Meters: Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) = CBM
- In Centimeters: (Length × Width × Height) / 1,000,000 = CBM
- In Inches: (Length × Width × Height) / 61,023.7 = CBM
CBM to CFT Conversion
Many shipping companies in the US and UK also use CFT (Cubic Feet). To convert CBM to CFT, you multiply the cubic meter value by 35.3147.
Volumetric Weight (Chargeable Weight)
Courier companies often charge based on either the actual weight or the volumetric weight, whichever is higher. This is because a large box of feathers takes up more space than a small box of lead, even if it weighs less.
| Freight Type | Standard Conversion Factor |
|---|---|
| Air Freight | 1 CBM = 167 kg |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | 1 CBM = 1000 kg |
| Express Courier | 1 CBM = 200 kg |
Real-World Example
Imagine you are shipping 10 cartons. Each carton is 50cm long, 40cm wide, and 40cm high.
Step 1: 50 x 40 x 40 = 80,000 cubic cm per box.
Step 2: 80,000 / 1,000,000 = 0.08 CBM per box.
Step 3: 0.08 CBM x 10 boxes = 0.8 CBM Total.