CBM Calculator — Cubic Metre Volume Calculator

CBM Calculator — Cubic Metre Volume Calculator
Calculator

CBM Calculator — Cubic Metre Volume Calculator

Enter the dimensions and quantity of your cargo cartons below to calculate the total cubic metre (CBM) volume. CBM is the standard measurement used in ocean freight LCL pricing.

 Calculation Results

Results are indicative only. Actual LCL rates depend on origin, destination, and current market pricing. Contact Marwest LLC for an accurate quotation.

How It Works

Understanding the Calculation

What is CBM?

CBM (Cubic Metre) is the standard volumetric measurement for international ocean freight. LCL rates are priced per CBM — so accurately calculating your cargo's CBM is essential for budgeting your freight costs. 1 CBM = 100cm × 100cm × 100cm.

Container Fill Reference

A standard 20ft container holds approximately 25 CBM of cargo. A standard 40ft container holds approximately 58–60 CBM. A 40ft High Cube holds approximately 67 CBM. Once your volume exceeds 15 CBM, FCL often becomes more cost-effective than LCL.

How to Measure

Measure the external dimensions of each carton in centimetres — length × width × height. Divide by 1,000,000 to convert to CBM. Multiply by the number of cartons. For irregular shapes, use the bounding box (the smallest box the item fits inside).

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About This Calculator

Calculate the CBM for each carton type separately, then add the results together. For complex shipments with many SKUs, our freight team can assist with CBM calculation from your packing list.

There is no technical minimum, but shipments under 0.5 CBM are often more economical via express courier. Our LCL service starts from 1 CBM and is most cost-effective for 1–12 CBM shipments.

No — this calculator uses carton dimensions only. If your cargo will be palletised, add the pallet height (typically 15cm for a standard wooden pallet) to the cargo height per tier to get the correct stacked volume.

LCL rates may include a minimum charge (often 1–2 CBM), a weight-to-volume ratio check (if your cargo is heavy relative to its volume, the weight may be used instead of CBM for pricing), and surcharges not reflected in the base CBM rate. Request a full quotation for accurate costs.
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