CBM & Volumetric Weight Freight Calculator
Calculate cubic meters, chargeable freight weight, and simulate 20ft / 40ft ocean container packing
Cargo Line Items
Enter package dimensions and weight for each package group.
Ocean Container Load Fit & Recommendations
Evaluating Cargo...What is CBM (Cubic Meter) in Freight?
CBM (Cubic Meter) is the standard measurement unit used in international trade to calculate cargo volume. Freight forwarders, shipping lines, and airlines use CBM to calculate freight costs based on how much physical space your shipment takes inside a container or aircraft hold.
CBM Formula by Measurement Unit:
- Centimeters (cm): (Length × Width × Height in cm) / 1,000,000 × Qty
- Inches (in): (Length × Width × Height in inches) / 61,024 × Qty
- Meters (m): Length × Width × Height in meters × Qty
- Feet (ft): (Length × Width × Height in feet) / 35.315 × Qty
1 CBM is equivalent to: 35.3147 Cubic Feet (CFT) • 61,023.7 Cubic Inches • 1,000,000 Cubic Centimeters.
Actual Weight vs. Volumetric (Chargeable) Weight
Freight carriers bill based on whichever is greater: Actual Gross Weight or Volumetric (Dimensional) Weight. If you ship lightweight bulky goods (like pillows or electronics packaging), you will be charged on volumetric weight rather than gross weight.
| Transport Mode | Volumetric Divisor | CBM to Weight Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Air Cargo (IATA) | 6,000 cm³/kg | 1 CBM = 167 kg |
| Express / Courier | 5,000 cm³/kg | 1 CBM = 200 kg |
| Sea Freight LCL | 1,000 cm³/kg | 1 CBM = 1,000 kg (1 Ton) |
LCL vs FCL Rule of Thumb: If your total volume exceeds 15 to 18 CBM, booking a dedicated 20ft container (FCL) is frequently more cost-effective and faster than shipping via Less than Container Load (LCL).
Standard ISO Shipping Container Dimensions & Capacities
| Container Type | Internal Dimensions (L × W × H) | Max Gross Weight | Theoretical Volume | Practical Usable CBM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard (GP) | 5.90 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m | 28,200 kg | 33.2 CBM | 28 – 30 CBM |
| 40ft Standard (GP) | 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m | 28,800 kg | 67.7 CBM | 58 – 62 CBM |
| 40ft High Cube (HC) | 12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m | 28,600 kg | 76.3 CBM | 68 – 70 CBM |
| 45ft High Cube | 13.55 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m | 27,700 kg | 86.0 CBM | 75 – 80 CBM |
Practical Calculation Example: Importing Electronics into Jebel Ali Port
Suppose you are importing 50 master cartons of consumer electronics into Dubai from Shenzhen, China via Jebel Ali Port (UN/LOCODE: AEJEA). Each carton measures 60 cm (L) × 40 cm (W) × 40 cm (H) and weighs 18 kg.
- • Air Freight (1:6000): 4.8 CBM × 166.67 = 800 kg (Actual 900 kg applies)
- • Sea LCL (1:1000): 4.8 CBM = 4,800 kg (Volume 4.8 W/M applies)