CBM Calculator · Convert to CBM fast
This lightweight converter mirrors the logic inside our full container-planning tool. Enter the outer dimensions, toggle units, and watch the CBM, CFT, and volumetric weight update instantly. Every section below explains the math in plain language so your teammates can double-check each shipment before locking a booking.
Enter the outer dimensions of a carton or pallet, add a quantity, and get CBM, cubic feet, and volumetric weight instantly. This widget uses the same CBM calculator logic as our full planner at the top of the homepage.
Keep quantities under 10,000 to mirror common packing plans.
Total CBM
5.760
CBM is the standard value for ocean freight bookings.
Cubic feet
203.41
Multiply CBM by 35.3147 to switch to ft³ effortlessly.
Volumetric weight (kg)
961.9
Airfreight typically bills 1 m³ as 167 kg.
A dependable CBM calculator protects your margins before cargo even leaves the production line. Use the guidelines below as a refresher during onboarding, quarterly process audits, or whenever a supplier changes packing styles.
CBM normalises every package on your list, no matter the shape or the local unit. That single number lets you choose between 20-foot and 40-foot containers, estimate pallet positions, and plan consolidation cut-offs with confidence.
Volumetric weight adds a density factor on top of CBM. Airfreight uses 1 m³ = 167 kg, while express couriers often apply 1 m³ = 200 kg. Keep those ratios nearby when you negotiate mixed-mode shipments.
Most exporters run between 0.8 and 0.95 η (loading efficiency). Staying within this band means you are using a container responsibly without pushing past door or ceiling limits.
Multiply length × width × height and then divide by 1,000,000 when you are measuring in centimetres. If you prefer inches, divide by 61,024. The result is the cubic meter value (CBM). Keeping a single conversion in mind makes paperwork and freight quotes run faster.
Mixing centimetres, inches, or feet inside the same packing list is the fastest way to introduce errors. Pick one unit for every dimension and let the CBM calculator handle the conversion back to cubic metres or cubic feet for you.
A carton that takes up 0.12 m³ individually suddenly jumps to 1.2 m³ when you plan for 10 units. Use consistent quantities while you experiment with new box sizes and you will quickly see which configuration hits the desired threshold.
CBM stands for cubic meter, the standard way to describe how much volume a shipment occupies. Ocean freight, consolidation warehouses, and customs entries all rely on CBM to allocate containers, calculate volumetric weight, and double-check bills of lading.
One cubic meter equals 35.3147 cubic feet. If a carrier requests numbers in cubic feet, convert the CBM total by multiplying it with that factor. Our converter does this automatically so you can export results in either unit.
Air cargo bills the higher value between actual weight and volumetric weight, so CBM sits at the core of the calculation. Ocean freight generally prioritises CBM because container slots are constrained by volume long before they hit weight limits.
Two decimal places are usually enough. Measuring everything in centimetres or inches, rounding consistently, and writing totals with two decimals will match the tolerance that brokers, warehouses, and customs inspectors expect.
The homepage hosts our full multi-line CBM calculator, container loading efficiency guard, and Pro-only cost optimisation engine. Use this converter for quick entries, then jump into the main tool when you are ready to compare 20GP vs 40HQ, export PDF summaries, or test loading efficiency.