How CBM is calculated
CBM (cubic metre) is the volume a package takes up: length × width × height, with every measurement in metres. Multiply by the number of identical packages, then add the lines together for the whole shipment. For worked examples and the common mistakes to avoid, read our guide What is CBM and how do you calculate it?
| Measured in | Convert to CBM | Example: 120 × 80 × 100 |
|---|---|---|
| Centimetres | L × W × H ÷ 1,000,000 | 0.960 CBM |
| Millimetres | L × W × H ÷ 1,000,000,000 | for 1200 × 800 × 1000 mm: 0.960 CBM |
| Inches | L × W × H × 0.000016387 | for 47 × 31.5 × 39.4 in: 0.956 CBM |
| Feet | L × W × H × 0.0283168 | 1 CBM is about 35.31 cubic feet |
Chargeable weight and volumetric factors
Carriers charge on whichever is greater: the actual gross weight or the volumetric weight, which converts the space a shipment occupies into a weight. Volumetric weight (kg) = CBM × 1,000,000 ÷ the volumetric factor.
| Mode | Typical factor | 1 CBM counts as |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight (LCL) | 1:1,000 | 1,000 kg, charged per W/M (the higher of CBM or tonnes) |
| Air freight | 1:6,000 | about 167 kg |
| Courier / express | 1:5,000 | 200 kg |
| Road freight | 1:3,000 | about 333 kg |
Factors vary by carrier and route, so you can change the factor in the calculator. Your quotation always confirms the one that applies. Sending less than a container? See how consolidated LCL keeps costs down.
Pasting a packing list
Use the Paste a packing list tab when you have many lines. Each line is one package type, written however you received it. All of these work:
- 120x80x100 250kg: dimensions plus a weight marked in kg.
- 80*60*50*42: numbers only, read using the line format you choose (or auto-detected).
- 5 ctns @ 60 x 40 x 45 cm, 18 kg: a count of packages before the size.
- 1.2m x 1m x 1.1m 410 kgs: units written on each number are converted automatically.
- Rows copied from Excel: tab-separated columns are read like spaces.
When a line has only numbers, the line format decides which is the weight, which is the count and which are the dimensions. Auto-detect reads three numbers as length × width × height, four as length × width × height × weight, and five as pieces × length × width × height × weight. When the weight is marked (for example 250 kg), four plain numbers are read as pieces × length × width × height. A unit written once, as in 48 x 40 x 36 in, applies to all three dimensions. Every line is shown in the preview so you can check it, and any line that doesn't fit the format is listed instead of guessed.
Which container fits?
The calculator compares your volume and weight with a 20′ standard (about 33.2 CBM internal), a 40′ standard (about 67.7 CBM) and a 40′ high cube (about 76.3 CBM). Packaging, pallet sizes and stowage mean you can rarely use every cubic metre, so treat the result as a guide. Our guide to container types and sizes covers reefers, open tops and flat racks. For road moves, compare FTL and LTL.
Common questions.
Is the weight per package or for the whole line?
In the package table, weight is per package and is multiplied by the quantity. When pasting, choose “per package” or “total for the line” to match your packing list.
How are repeated lines handled?
Lines with the same size and weight are combined, and their pieces are added together. Each line without a count is treated as one package.
Why is my chargeable weight higher than the actual weight?
Light but bulky cargo takes up more space than its weight suggests, so carriers charge on volumetric weight instead. Denser packing or smaller cartons can reduce it.
Does the calculator give me a price?
No. It calculates volume and chargeable weight. Copy or email the result to our team for a quotation based on your route and cargo.