CBM Shipping Calculator
Calculate cubic meters (CBM), total volume, volumetric weight, and chargeable weight for shipping cargo. Free online freight volume calculator with container fit charts.
About This Calculator
The CBM Calculator (Shipping) helps freight forwarders, logistics managers, exporters, and e-commerce sellers calculate the cubic meter volume of their cargo for shipping cost estimation. Enter your box dimensions and quantity to instantly determine CBM per box, total shipment volume, volumetric weight, and how many boxes fit in standard shipping containers.
CBM (cubic meter) is calculated using the formula: CBM = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) / 1,000,000. This converts the volume from cubic centimeters to cubic meters. For multiple identical boxes, multiply the CBM per box by the total quantity. The shipping factor (default 5000 cm³/kg) is used to calculate volumetric weight, which carriers compare against actual weight to determine billable charges using the Weight or Measurement (W/M) rule.
Regional Notes
India: Indian exporters and freight forwarders use the metric system with CBM as the standard volume unit. The shipping factor of 5000 cm³/kg is used by most Indian carriers including CONCOR and private freight companies. Container dimensions follow ISO standards with 20ft (33 m³), 40ft (67 m³), and 40ft HC (76 m³) being the most common for EXIM (export-import) shipments.
United States: US carriers like FedEx and UPS use dimensional weight pricing with a factor of 139 for domestic shipments (in³/lb) and 5000 cm³/kg for international shipments. CBM is commonly used for ocean freight and Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) shipments. The standard 40ft container is the most popular for US imports and exports.
United Kingdom: UK logistics follows the same metric CBM standards as the rest of the world. The 5000 cm³/kg volumetric factor is standard. UK exporters often use 20ft and 40ft containers for road and sea freight to EU and global destinations. Always verify the shipping factor with your specific carrier as it can vary for air freight (6000 cm³/kg is common for air cargo).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBM in shipping?
CBM stands for cubic meter. It is a metric unit of volume that measures how much space a shipment occupies. One CBM equals one cubic meter or 35.3 cubic feet. Shipping carriers use CBM to calculate freight charges based on the volume of cargo rather than its actual weight.
How do you calculate CBM for shipping?
To calculate CBM, measure the length, width, and height of your package in centimeters, multiply them together, and divide by 1,000,000. The formula is: CBM = (Length × Width × Height) / 1,000,000. For multiple boxes, multiply the CBM per box by the total quantity.
What is volumetric weight and how is it calculated?
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) is a pricing technique used by carriers to account for lightweight but bulky shipments. It is calculated as: Volumetric Weight (kg) = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) × Quantity / Shipping Factor. The standard shipping factor is 5000 cm³/kg for metric measurements. Carriers charge based on whichever is higher between actual weight and volumetric weight.
How many CBM is a standard 40-foot container?
A standard 40-foot dry container has approximately 67 cubic meters of capacity. A 40-foot high cube container offers about 76 cubic meters, while a 45-foot high cube container provides around 86 cubic meters. A standard 20-foot container has about 33 cubic meters of capacity.
What is the difference between total weight and volumetric weight?
Total weight is the actual physical weight of your cargo calculated by multiplying the weight per box by the quantity. Volumetric weight is an artificial measure based on the space the cargo occupies. If volumetric weight exceeds total weight, the shipment is considered lightweight for its size and you will be charged based on volumetric weight under the Weight or Measurement (W/M) rule.
How many boxes fit in a shipping container?
The number of boxes that fit in a container depends on the box dimensions and container type. Divide the container's total CBM capacity by the CBM per box to get an approximate count. Note that actual packing efficiency may be lower due to box orientation, stacking constraints, and wasted space between packages.
What shipping factor do FedEx and UPS use?
FedEx and UPS use a dimensional factor of 139 for domestic shipments in the US (in inches per pound), and 5000 cm³/kg for international metric shipments. The 5000 cm³/kg factor is the standard metric shipping factor used by most carriers worldwide for sea, air, and road freight.