CBM calculator

How to calculate CBM for cartons and freight

CBM means cubic metre: the physical volume occupied by packed cargo. For dimensions measured in centimetres, use length × width × height × quantity ÷ 1,000,000. If the dimensions are already in metres, simply multiply length × width × height × quantity.

Always measure the outside of the finished package, not the product inside it. Outer cartons, crates, protective corners, palletisation and bulging can all change the space a shipment occupies. For a mixed shipment, calculate each carton or cargo type separately and add the results rather than averaging dimensions across different products.

What CBM is used for

CBM is one of the basic inputs used throughout freight planning. It helps describe warehouse space, less-than-container-load (LCL) volume, container utilisation and the physical size of a shipment. It is also the starting point for dimensional-weight calculations, but CBM and chargeable weight are not the same thing.

For parcel and air services, volume may be converted into a dimensional weight using a divisor. For ocean LCL, a quote may compare CBM with gross metric tonnes under a weight-or-measurement rule. In other words, knowing a shipment is 8 CBM does not by itself tell you what it will cost to move.

Common CBM mistakes

• Mixing centimetres and metres. If you use centimetres, divide the cubic-centimetre result by 1,000,000.
• Using internal carton dimensions. Freight occupies the external packed dimensions.
• Forgetting quantity. CBM per carton must be multiplied by the number of identical cartons.
• Using one average carton for mixed cargo. Separate lines are more accurate when package sizes differ.
• Assuming theoretical container cube equals usable cargo space. Real loading also depends on carton geometry, door openings, bracing, pallets and weight distribution.

CBM for mixed-SKU shipments

If you are shipping several products, the fastest route is the ShipMeasure Shipment Workspace. Enter each SKU or package type once and ShipMeasure totals its CBM while carrying the same measurements into dimensional weight, pallet planning, container comparisons, LCL/FCL costing and freight allocation. That avoids re-keying the same shipment into a series of unrelated calculators.