1
Select the Unit
Choose centimeters, meters, millimeters, inches, or feet based on the dimensions available for your package.
Free Shipping Volume Tool
CBM Calculator
Calculate cubic meter volume for boxes, cartons, pallets, furniture, and freight shipments. Enter the package dimensions and quantity to get total CBM, cubic feet, and estimated volumetric weight instantly.
Package Dimensions
Enter the measurements of one package.
What Is a CBM Calculator?
A CBM calculator measures the space occupied by a shipment in cubic meters. CBM stands for cubic meter and is commonly used in international shipping, freight forwarding, warehousing, cargo planning, and logistics.
Shipping companies use package volume to estimate how much space boxes, cartons, pallets, machinery, or furniture will occupy in an aircraft, truck, container, or warehouse.
Basic CBM formula
Length in meters × Width in meters × Height in meters × Quantity
CBM Calculation Example
Suppose one carton measures 120 cm long, 80 cm wide, and 60 cm high. First, convert the dimensions into meters:
120 cm = 1.2 m, 80 cm = 0.8 m, and 60 cm = 0.6 m.
The calculation is 1.2 × 0.8 × 0.6, which equals 0.576 CBM per carton. If you have 10 identical cartons, the total shipment volume is 5.76 CBM.
Simple Process
How to Use the CBM Calculator
Calculate your cargo volume in three straightforward steps.
2
Enter Package Details
Add the length, width, height, and number of identical packages included in your shipment.
3
Review the Results
View total CBM, volume per package, cubic feet, volumetric weight, and estimated chargeable weight.
CBM Conversion Formulas
Use the appropriate formula according to the measurement unit used for your package dimensions.
| Measurement Unit | Formula for One Package | Conversion Method |
|---|---|---|
| Centimeters | Length × Width × Height ÷ 1,000,000 | Converts cubic centimeters to cubic meters |
| Millimeters | Length × Width × Height ÷ 1,000,000,000 | Converts cubic millimeters to cubic meters |
| Meters | Length × Width × Height | Dimensions are already measured in meters |
| Inches | Convert each dimension to meters, then multiply | One inch equals 0.0254 meters |
| Feet | Convert each dimension to meters, then multiply | One foot equals 0.3048 meters |
CBM and Volumetric Weight
CBM measures cargo volume, while volumetric weight converts that volume into an estimated weight for freight pricing. Carriers often compare volumetric weight with actual weight and charge according to whichever figure is higher.
This calculator uses common estimates for air freight and express courier services. Freight providers may apply different divisors, minimum charges, or rounding methods.
Why Accurate CBM Calculation Matters
Accurate shipment measurements can help you estimate freight charges, select a suitable container, avoid unexpected fees, compare carriers, and improve warehouse or vehicle space planning.
Common Questions
CBM Calculator FAQs
Helpful answers about shipment volume and cubic-meter calculations.
CBM means cubic meter. It represents the total three-dimensional space occupied by cargo and is widely used for sea, air, road, and rail freight calculations.
Multiply length, width, and height in centimeters, then divide the result by 1,000,000. Multiply that figure by the number of identical packages to calculate total CBM.
One cubic meter is approximately equal to 35.3147 cubic feet. The calculator automatically provides the cubic-feet conversion.
No. CBM measures volume, while kilograms measure physical weight. A carrier may use CBM to calculate volumetric weight and compare it with the actual shipment weight.
Yes. Enter the dimensions of one box and add the total number of identical boxes in the quantity field. For boxes with different dimensions, calculate each box type separately and add the CBM results together.
Chargeable weight is generally the higher value between actual shipment weight and volumetric weight. Exact rules can vary between airlines, courier companies, and freight forwarders.