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CBM Calculator for Ocean Freight, LCL & Air Cargo

Calculate cubic meters (CBM) and cubic feet from carton dimensions in centimeters or inches. Use it for LCL shipments, ocean freight planning, air cargo estimates, warehousing and pallet/container planning.

Calculate CBM

Enter dimensions and quantity

Dimensions

What is CBM?

CBM means cubic meter. In freight shipping, CBM measures the volume of cargo. It helps forwarders, carriers, warehouse teams and importers understand how much space a shipment needs in a container, truck, aircraft or warehouse.

CBM is especially common in ocean freight and LCL shipping because cargo is often planned and priced by volume. Even when weight matters, volume still affects loading, pallet planning and storage decisions.

CBM Formula

For centimeters:

Length × Width × Height ÷ 1,000,000 × Quantity

For inches, convert dimensions to meters first, or use the calculator above.

When is CBM used?

Ocean LCL freight

Estimate shipment volume before requesting rates or booking space.

Container planning

Compare cargo volume against available space in 20ft and 40ft containers.

Air cargo planning

Use volume as part of dimensional or chargeable weight checks.

Warehouse storage

Estimate how much storage space cartons or pallets may require.

CBM Calculator FAQ

How do I calculate CBM from centimeters?

Multiply length × width × height, then divide by 1,000,000. Multiply the result by the number of cartons or units.

How many cubic feet are in one CBM?

One CBM is approximately 35.315 cubic feet.

Is CBM used for air freight?

Yes, but air freight normally uses chargeable weight, which compares actual weight against volumetric or dimensional weight. CBM still helps estimate cargo volume.

Is CBM enough to calculate the final freight cost?

No. Final freight cost can depend on weight, route, carrier, handling, packaging, fuel, surcharges, customs, accessorials and contract rates.

Try DIM Weight CalculatorTry Container Loading OptimizerTry Freight Class Calculator