CBM Calculator Suite
Professional tools for calculating cargo volume, weight, and container optimization for efficient logistics planning.
CBM Calculator
Calculate cargo volume, pallet stacking plans, and container fit estimates for efficient logistics planning.
Inputs
Pallet Settings
Container (optional)
Results & Visualization
Enter inputs on the left and click Calculate.
Volumetric Weight Calculator
Calculate the chargeable weight for your packages based on volume and actual weight.
What is Volumetric Weight?
Volumetric weight represents the calculated weight of a parcel based on its length, width, and height, converted to volumetric kilograms. The calculation method for volumetric weight can vary depending on the courier and the specific service. For example, some couriers may use different formulas for express versus economy services.
When sending bulky parcels, many couriers charge based on volumetric weight instead of actual weight. This weight is calculated from the dimensions of the parcel, ensuring fair pricing for space utilization in transportation vehicles.
Chargeable Weight Calculator
Enter Package Details
Select Chargeable Weight DIM (Dimensional) Factor
Ocean LCL (Less than Container Load)
| Unit | Width | Height | Length | Weight/box | Unit | Quantity | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Why is Volumetric Weight Charged?
Larger items occupy more space on vehicles or aircraft, increasing the cost to transport them. Therefore, if an item is bulky but not heavy, shipping costs are often based on size instead of actual weight. This ensures fair pricing for space utilization and prevents carriers from losing money on undercharged shipments.
Calculate Volumetric Weight for Courier Delivery
Different courier companies may use various formulas, but the most common method involves multiplying the parcel's three dimensions in centimeters and dividing by 5,000.
No need to worry—the tool above automatically calculates this for you. However, if you'd like to do it manually, simply multiply the length, width, and height (in cm) of your parcel and then divide by 5,000.
Compare to Physical Weight
If the volumetric weight is higher than the actual physical weight, your shipment will be billed based on the volumetric weight. This is particularly important for large, lightweight items that take up significant space in a cargo hold or container.
Calculate Volumetric Weight for Freight Delivery
For most road freight, air freight services, and airlines, a divisor of 6,000 is used. To find the volumetric weight for freight, multiply the length, width, and height of the shipment in centimeters, then divide by 6,000.
Calculate Total Chargeable Weight of a Shipment
Different couriers have their own methods for calculating the total chargeable weight, which can impact the cost significantly. It's important to understand how these variations might affect the final price of your shipment.
Why Correct Volumetric Weight Calculation is Important?
Accurate volumetric weight calculation is essential when shipping bulky packages with low actual weight because shipping costs are often based on the space a package occupies rather than its physical weight. This is particularly important for large, lightweight items that take up significant space in a cargo hold or container.
By calculating the volumetric weight, which reflects the package's dimensions, shipping carriers can ensure that pricing accurately reflects the space utilized. Without this, carriers may incur losses from undercharged shipments, and shippers might face unexpected costs due to inaccurate weight estimates. Therefore, correctly calculating volumetric weight helps in fair cost allocation and efficient use of space, benefiting both carriers and customers.
How to Use Volumetric Weight Calculator
- Select Divisor (Chargeable Weight DIM Factor): Choose the divisor according to your shipping agent. By default, the calculation uses a divisor of 1000.
- Select the Unit of Measurement for Package Dimensions: Choose from cm/mm/inch/meter/feet.
- Enter the Package Dimensions: Input Length, Width (Breadth), and Height.
- Select the Unit of Measurement for Package Weight: Choose from kg/lb/gm.
- Enter the Package Weight: Input the weight of a single package.
- Enter the Package Quantity: Specify how many packages you have.
- Add More Packages: Use the "Add More Package" option for multiple items.
- Delete a Package: Use the "Delete" icon to remove unwanted entries.
Understand the Result
Volume Measurements:
- • Volume (m³): Total volume of all packages in cubic meters
- • Volume (ft³): Total volume of all packages in cubic feet
Weight Measurements:
- • Weight (kg): Total weight in kilograms
- • Weight (lb): Total weight in pounds
Volumetric Weight:
- • Volumetric Weight (kg): Calculated weight based on dimensions
- • Volumetric Weight (lb): Calculated weight in pounds
Final Result:
- • Chargeable Weight: The higher of actual vs volumetric weight
Cubic Meter Calculator for Multiple Products
Calculate total volume for multiple products and optimize container loading.
Volume m³
0.000 m³
Volume ft³
0.00 ft³
Weight (Kg)
0 Kg
Weight (Lb)
0.000 Lb
20 FT
-
40 FT
-
40 HC
-
Volumetric Wt Kg
0.00 Kg
Volumetric Wt Lbs
0.000 Lbs
Enter package details to begin calculation
What is Cubic Meter (CBM)?
The **Cubic Meter (CBM)** is a unit of measurement for volume, representing the space occupied by a cargo shipment. It is a fundamental calculation in international shipping and logistics, as freight charges for sea and air cargo are often determined by either the actual weight or the volumetric weight (CBM), whichever is greater. Understanding CBM is crucial for efficient load planning, cost estimation, and optimizing shipping container utilization.
One cubic meter is equivalent to a cube that measures 1 meter in length, 1 meter in width, and 1 meter in height. For smaller items, measurements are often taken in centimeters or millimeters, which are then converted to cubic meters for international shipping standards.
How to Calculate Cubic Meter (CBM)?
Calculating CBM is straightforward: you multiply the length, width, and height of a package. When dealing with multiple packages, you calculate the CBM for a single package and then multiply by the total quantity. Ensure all dimensions are in the same unit before calculation, then convert to meters for the final CBM value.
Formula: Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) = Volume (m³)
If your dimensions are in centimeters (cm), divide each dimension by 100 before multiplying. For millimeters (mm), divide by 1000. Our CBM calculator handles these conversions automatically.
Understanding Container Capacity
Maximizing container capacity is essential for cost-effective shipping. Our calculator provides estimates for how many of your packages will fit into standard 20ft, 40ft, and 40ft High Cube (40HC) containers. These estimates are based on the total volume of your cargo and the internal dimensions of the containers.
**Typical Internal Dimensions:**
- **20ft Container:** 5.89m (L) x 2.34m (W) x 2.38m (H) - Approx. 33 CBM
- **40ft Container:** 12.03m (L) x 2.34m (W) x 2.38m (H) - Approx. 67 CBM
- **40ft High Cube Container:** 12.03m (L) x 2.34m (W) x 2.69m (H) - Approx. 76 CBM
Keep in mind that these are theoretical maximums based purely on volume. Actual loading capacity may vary due to package shapes, packing efficiency, and weight restrictions.
Volumetric Weight vs. Actual Weight
In shipping, carriers charge based on either the **actual gross weight** of your cargo or its **volumetric (dimensional) weight**, whichever is higher. This 'chargeable weight' ensures that freight costs accurately reflect both the weight and the space a shipment occupies.
**Actual Weight:** The literal weight of your package(s) as measured on a scale.
**Volumetric Weight:** A calculated weight based on the dimensions (length × width × height) of your package. This accounts for bulky, lightweight items that take up significant space. The formula often involves a 'dimensional factor' (e.g., dividing by 5000 or 6000 for air freight), which can vary by carrier and service.
**Our calculator automatically determines both actual and volumetric weights, indicating the chargeable weight to help you avoid unexpected shipping costs.**
Cubic Feet Calculator for Multiple Products
Calculate total volume in cubic feet for multiple products with imperial units.
Cubic Feet Calculator
Calculate package volume in cubic feet and meters for shipping, freight, and logistics. Get accurate measurements for containers, volumetric weight, and shipping costs.
Enter Package Details
Calculation Result
Volume m³ – | Volume ft³ – | Weight (Kg) – | Weight (Lb) – | |
20 FT – | 40 FT – | 40 HC – | Volumetric Wt Kg – | Volumetric Wt lbs – |
Cubic Feet Calculator
Our Cubic Feet Calculator helps you quickly calculate the volume of multiple products and shipments. You can easily convert dimensions into cubic feet (ft³) and also check CBM (Cubic Meter) values for accurate shipping, packaging, and freight planning. This calculator supports multiple units of measurement for dimensions: (cm), Meter (m), Millimeter (mm), Feet (ft), and Inch (in). For weight, you can enter values in Grams (gm), Kilograms (kg), and Pounds (lb).
Feet.Inch format support: You can enter dimensions in a combined feet and inch format using a decimal. For example, 1.2 will be calculated as 1 Foot and 2 Inches.
With this cubic feet calculator, you can:
- Calculate volume in cubic feet (ft³) and cubic meters (m³)
- Get accurate volume weight for shipping
- Add multiple products for combined CBM and weight calculation
- Estimate how many packages fit inside 20 ft, 40 ft, and 40 ft High Cube containers
Use this free online cubic feet calculator to simplify your cargo planning, shipping estimates, and freight forwarding.
How Cubic Feet Calculator Works
- •Select your unit of measurement – choose from cm, mm, m, ft, or in.
- •Enter your package details – input length × width × height along with the quantity of items.
- •Get instant results – see total volume in cubic meters (m³) and cubic feet (ft³), volumetric weight, and how many items can fit into standard containers (20 ft, 40 ft, and 40 ft High Cube).
Volume Calculation Formula in Cubic Feet Calculator
To calculate the volume in cubic feet (ft³), use:
Formula: Cubic Feet (ft³) = (Length (inches) × Width (inches) × Height (inches)) ÷ 1728
Why 1728? 1 cubic foot equals 12 × 12 × 12 = 1728 cubic inches (in³).
Example
- Length = 24 in
- Width = 12 in
- Height = 36 in
Calculation: `(24 × 12 × 36) ÷ 1728 = 6 ft³`
Result: 6 cubic feet (ft³)
Understand How the Calculator Works
| Input | Description |
|---|---|
| Length (inch) | Your package length in inches |
| Breadth (inch) | Your package breadth in inches |
| Height (inch) | Your package height in inches |
| Weight (lb) | Your package weight in pounds |
| Quantity | Number of packages; affects Weight, Volume Weight, and shipment volume |
| Result | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight (kg/lbs) | Shipment weight in kilograms or pounds |
| Volume Weight (kg/lbs) | Volume (dimensional) weight of shipment in kilograms or pounds |
| Volume (m³/ft³) | Shipment volume in cubic meters or cubic feet |
| 20 FT min/max | Approx min & max number of packages that can fit in a standard 20 FT container |
| 40 FT min/max | Approx min & max number of packages that can fit in a standard 40 FT container |
| 40 FT HC min/max | Approx min & max number of packages that can fit in a standard 40 FT High Cube container |
For above cubic feet calculator we had used following container dimensions
| Container / Dimensions | Length (cm) | Width (cm) | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 FT Container | 589 | 230 | 230 |
| 40 FT Container | 1200 | 230 | 230 |
| 40 FT HIGH CUBE Container | 1200 | 230 | 260 |
How to Calculate Cubic Feet
Calculating cubic feet means determining the volume of an object in cubic feet. One cubic foot is the volume of a cube measuring 1 ft × 1 ft × 1 ft.
cube of 1 feet (Image Placeholder)
Formula for Calculating Cubic Feet
To find the volume of a box-shaped object, use the formula:
If all dimensions are in feet, the result will be in cubic feet.
Volume = length x width x height
Here the Volume is in Cubic Feet and dimensions (length x width x height are in “Feet”)
Practical Applications of Cubic Feet Calculation
Cubic feet calculations are widely used in various real-world applications, including:
- Home & Appliances
- Estimating the capacity of refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens to ensure proper fit in kitchens.
- Determining storage space in cabinets, closets, and sheds.
- Moving & Shipping
- Calculating box volumes for packing and shipping to estimate required truck or container space.
- Determining how much luggage or cargo can fit in a vehicle, trailer, or moving truck.
- Construction & Renovation
- Measuring concrete, sand, or gravel needed for foundations, driveways, and landscaping.
- Estimating paint, insulation, or drywall coverage for rooms and buildings.
- Gardening & Landscaping
- Calculating the amount of soil, mulch, or compost needed for garden beds and planters.
- Estimating water volume for ponds, fountains, and irrigation systems.
- Storage & Warehousing
- Assessing warehouse storage capacity for goods and inventory management.
- Determining the space required for stacking boxes, pallets, or shelving units.
- Water & Liquid Storage
- Estimating water volume in pools, tanks, or aquariums (often converted to gallons).
- Measuring the storage capacity of barrels and cisterns for rainwater collection.
- HVAC & Airflow Systems
- Calculating the air volume in a room for proper HVAC system sizing and ventilation.
- Determining the capacity of air ducts and vents to ensure efficient air circulation.
- Fuel & Gas Storage
- Measuring propane, natural gas, or other fuel storage tanks for consumption estimates.
- Calculating engine displacement volumes for vehicles and machinery.
Cubic feet calculations simplify planning, resource allocation, and cost estimation across multiple industries.
How to Convert Other Units to Cubic Feet
If the dimensions are not in feet, convert them before calculating the volume. Use the following conversions:
- Inches to feet: Divide by 12.
- Yards to feet: Multiply by 3.
- Centimeters to feet: Divide by 30.48.
- Meters to feet: Multiply by 3.281.
Alternatively, calculate the volume in the given units first, then convert:
- Inches to cubic feet: Divide by 1,728.
- Yards to cubic feet: Multiply by 27.
- Centimeters to cubic feet: Divide by 28,316.847.
- Meters to cubic feet: Multiply by 35.315.
For mixed-unit dimensions, converting to feet before calculation is recommended to prevent errors.
Volume & Unit Conversion Formulas
| Measurement Type | Formula / Tip |
|---|---|
| Cubic Feet (ft³) | ft × ft × ft |
| Inches → ft³ | (in × in × in) ÷ 1,728 |
| Meters → ft³ | (m³ × 35.315) |
| Yards → ft³ | yd³ × 27 |
| Inches → feet (separate) | Divide inches by 12 to convert to feet |
Example: Converting Inches to Cubic Feet
Consider an oven with dimensions:
- Width: 21 inches
- Height: 12 inches
- Depth: 17 inches
microwave with dimensions (Image Placeholder)
Method 1: Convert Inches to Feet First
Step: 1
First, we will convert the dimension Length, Width & Height from “Inch” to “Feet”
- Length: 21 inches divided by 12 = 1.75 Feet
- Width: 12 inches divided by 12 = 1 Feet
- Height: 17 inches divided by 12 = 1.41 Feet
So, now the converted dimensions are 1.75 ft x 1 ft x 1.41 ft = 2.47 Cubic Feet
Method 2: Convert After Multiplication
Volume in Cubic Inch = 21 x 12 x 17 = 4284 Cubic Inch
Volume in Cubic Feet = 4284 / 1728 = 2.47 Cubic Feet
Both methods yield the same result: 2.47 ft³.
Calculating Cubic Feet of Soil
To determine the cubic feet of soil needed:
- Find the area by multiplying length and width. Example: 20 yards × 6 yards = 120 yd²
- Multiply by depth to get volume. Example: 120 yd² × 0.5 yd = 60 yd³
- Convert to cubic feet by multiplying by 27.
Volume = 60 yd³ x 27 = 1620 Cubic Feet
Need Help? – FAQs
How do I enter feet and inches correctly?
At the moment, the calculator uses a feet.inch format. For example:
- Enter 2.6 to represent 2 feet 6 inches.
- Enter 5.11 to represent 5 feet 11 inches.
Why does quantity sometimes only change the total volume but not the unit weight?
The calculator works by multiplying the dimensions × quantity to find total volume. Unit weight is based on the weight you enter for a single item. If no unit weight is entered, only the volume updates when you change the quantity. To get correct total weight, make sure you enter the weight per item as well.
What is volumetric weight and why does it matter for shipping?
Volumetric (or chargeable) weight reflects how much space your package occupies compared to its actual weight. If a package is light but bulky, carriers charge you based on its volume, not its physical weight. Example: A box of pillows may weigh only 10 kg, but if it takes up the space of a 50 kg shipment, you’ll be billed for 50 kg (volumetric weight). This ensures fair pricing for cargo that fills containers or aircraft space but doesn’t weigh much.
👉 Tip: If you’re calculating for shipping, always compare actual weight vs. volumetric weight—thehigher one will usually be the chargeable weight.
How do I convert cubic feet to cubic meters?
To convert: 1 cubic foot (ft³) = 0.0283 cubic meters (m³). To go the other way, 1 cubic meter (m³) = 35.315 cubic feet (ft³).
👉 The calculator does this automatically, but you can use the formula if you need a quick manual conversion.
How many cubic feet are in a standard container?
Here are approximate internal volumes of common ocean containers: 20 ft container → ~1,170 ft³ (33.2 m³) 40 ft container → ~2,390 ft³ (67.7 m³) 40 ft High Cube container → ~2,700 ft³ (76.4 m³)
👉 These values can vary slightly by manufacturer, but they’re the standard reference for shipping calculations.
Single Shipping Container Calculator
Calculate how many products can fit in a single shipping container with occupied weight and volume analysis.
Select Unit of Measurement
Select Container
Standard 20 Feet Container
Standard 40 Feet Container
High Cube 40 Feet Container
Refer 20 Feet Container
Refer 40 Feet Container
Refer 40 Feet High Cube Container
Enter product details
| Length (cm) | Width (cm) | Height (cm) | Weight (kg) | Quantity | Actions |
|---|
Add products to calculate container loading analysis
Multiple Shipping Container Calculator
Find the best fit container for mixed cargo shipments and optimize your logistics.
Enter product details.
Add products to find the best container for your mixed cargo shipment