CBM Calculator
Enter each carton size and quantity to get the total cubic metres (CBM) of your shipment, with cubic feet, litres, gross weight and density.
Results
Next steps with this cargo
Assumptions
Volumes are calculated from the external carton dimensions you enter. All units are converted to metres before multiplying, and no intermediate value is rounded; results are rounded only for display.
Density is shown only when every line has a weight.
How the CBM Calculator works
Each row is one carton size. The calculator converts the length, width and height to metres, multiplies them to get the volume of one carton, then multiplies by the quantity. The rows are added together for the shipment total, and each row's share of the total is shown so you can see which products take the most space.
If you enter weights, it also totals the gross weight and works out the density in kg/m³. Weights can be entered per carton or as a total for the row.
Formula
CBM per carton = length (m) × width (m) × height (m) Line CBM = CBM per carton × quantity Shipment CBM = sum of line CBM Cubic feet = CBM × 35.3147 Litres = CBM × 1,000
Worked example
60 cm × 40 cm × 35 cm = 0.084 m³ per carton 0.084 m³ × 120 cartons = 10.08 CBM 10.08 CBM × 35.3147 = 355.97 ft³
With 12 kg per carton, the gross weight is 1,440 kg and the density is 1,440 ÷ 10.08 = 142.86 kg/m³.
When to use it
- Filling in a booking request or packing list.
- Checking an LCL quote, which is charged per CBM or per tonne.
- Getting a first idea of whether cargo is closer to LCL, a 20ft or a 40ft container.
Limitations
CBM is the volume of the cartons themselves. It does not tell you how many cartons fit in a container or on a pallet, because cartons leave gaps and cannot be split. Use the Pallet Calculator or the Container Loading Calculator for that. Measure the outside of each carton; small measuring errors multiply across large quantities.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate CBM for a carton?
Multiply the carton's length, width and height in metres. A 60 × 40 × 35 cm carton is 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.35 = 0.084 CBM. Multiply by the number of cartons for the line total.
Can I mix units and carton sizes?
Yes. Each row has its own dimension and weight units, and the calculator converts everything before adding the rows together.
Does total CBM tell me how many cartons fit in a container?
No. Cartons leave gaps and cannot be split, so a container holds less than its CBM suggests. Use the Container Loading Calculator to place the cartons.