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Freight tools · Volume

CBM Calculator

Cubic meters and cubic feet for any number of cartons, from dimensions in centimeters, meters, inches or feet, with the calculation written out.

Last reviewed: 2026-09-30 · Free · Nothing you enter is stored

Carton Details

Units

01 · Dimensions per carton

02 · Quantity

Works for cartons, crates, pallets or any box. Switching units keeps the numbers you typed and changes their unit.

Results

Enter shipment dimensions to see your results.

Volume math only. Container shares compare against typical interior volume; cartons never fill 100% of a container, so use the container loading calculator for a fit check.

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When the cartons land, RapidShips can devan, palletize and move them on: transloading into 53-ft trailers, cross-docking or short-term storage in East Brunswick, NJ.

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Quick answer: what is CBM?

CBM means cubic meter: the volume of a space 1 m long, 1 m wide and 1 m high. It is the usual volume unit for ocean freight. Multiply length x width x height in meters to get the CBM of one carton, then multiply by the number of cartons. 1 CBM is about 35.31 cubic feet.

The CBM calculator turns carton dimensions into cubic meters and cubic feet and writes out each step, so you can check it or paste it into an email. It accepts centimeters, meters, inches or feet.

How Do You Calculate CBM?

CBM = length x width x height, with all three in meters. If you measured in another unit, divide by the matching factor:

CBM formula by measuring unit
Dimensions inCBM of one cartonExample
CentimetersL x W x H ÷ 1,000,00060 x 50 x 40 cm = 0.12 CBM
MetersL x W x H0.6 x 0.5 x 0.4 m = 0.12 CBM
MillimetersL x W x H ÷ 1,000,000,000600 x 500 x 400 mm = 0.12 CBM
InchesL x W x H ÷ 61,023.7424 x 20 x 16 in = 0.126 CBM
FeetL x W x H ÷ 35.31472 x 2 x 2 ft = 0.227 CBM

Then multiply by the number of cartons. To go from CBM to cubic feet, multiply by 35.3147.

How RapidShips Calculates This

Formula
CBM per carton = L(m) x W(m) x H(m)total CBM = CBM per carton x cartonsft³ = CBM x 35.3147
Units
Every entry is converted to meters with exact factors (1 in = 0.0254 m, 1 ft = 0.3048 m) before multiplying, so results do not drift with rounding.
Precision
Results show 2 decimals, or 3 significant digits for volumes under 0.1 CBM, so small cartons do not round to zero.
Limitations
Volume does not account for packing gaps, pallets or stacking limits. It is the right number for quotes and paperwork, not proof that cargo fits.

Worked Example

Twenty cartons of 60 x 50 x 40 cm:

  • Each carton = 0.6 x 0.5 x 0.4 m = 0.12 CBM
  • 20 cartons = 20 x 0.12 = 2.40 CBM
  • In cubic feet: 2.40 x 35.3147 = 84.76 ft³

How Much CBM Fits in a Container?

Maersk’s published dry container specifications list about 33 m³ for a 20-ft standard, 67 m³ for a 40-ft standard and 76 m³ for a 40-ft high cube.[1] Usable space is always lower, because carton sizes rarely divide the interior evenly and freight cannot always be stacked to the roof. The container loading calculator checks a shipment against both volume and payload.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CBM in shipping?
CBM stands for cubic meter, a volume of 1 m x 1 m x 1 m. Ocean freight forwarders and carriers use it to measure how much space a shipment takes, especially for less-than-container-load (LCL) cargo.
How many cubic feet are in 1 CBM?
1 CBM equals about 35.3147 cubic feet, because 1 foot is exactly 0.3048 m and 1 cubic foot is 0.0283168 m³.
How do I calculate CBM from inches?
Multiply length x width x height in inches and divide by 61,023.74. For example, a 24 x 20 x 16 in. carton is 7,680 cubic inches, or about 0.126 CBM.
How many CBM fit in a 20-ft container?
A typical 20-ft standard container has about 33 m³ of interior volume on published specifications, but real cargo loads use less than that because of carton sizes, packing gaps and stacking limits.
Is CBM the same as volumetric weight?
No. CBM is a volume. Volumetric or dimensional weight turns volume into a billing weight using a divisor, such as 6,000 cm³ per kg for air cargo. Use the dimensional weight calculator for that.
Container Loading CalculatorCheck cargo volume, weight, volume utilization and remaining space in a 20-ft, 40-ft or 40-ft high cube container, for pallets or cartons. Pallet CalculatorFootprint, cubic feet, CBM and total weight for 48 x 40, 42 x 42, 48 x 48 or custom pallets, plus an equipment estimate. Freight Unit ConverterTwo-way conversion for kg and lb, cm and inches, meters and feet, CBM and cubic feet. Dimensional Weight CalculatorDimensional and chargeable weight with the divisor your carrier uses: 139, 166, 5,000, 6,000 or your own.
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Sources

  1. Maersk, “Our fleet: equipment specifications, dry containers (PDF),” accessed September 2026.
  2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), “Unit Conversion (SI conversion factors, SP 811 Appendix B),” accessed September 2026.