CBM calculator for sea freight

CBM (cubic meter) is length × width × height in centimeters divided by 1,000,000, multiplied by the number of cartons. For example, 10 cartons of 60 × 40 × 40 cm are 0.096 CBM each, so 0.96 CBM in total. Add each carton size as its own line and the calculator sums them.

Multiply each dimension in inches by 2.54 to get centimeters before you enter it. A 24 × 16 × 16 in carton is about 61 × 41 × 41 cm, or roughly 0.1 CBM. For pounds, divide by 2.2046 to get kilograms.

In sea freight, 1 CBM is treated as 1,000 kg: the shipment is charged on whichever is greater, cubic meters or metric tons (the revenue ton, RT). In air freight with the IATA divisor of 6000, 1 CBM equals about 167 kg; with the express divisor of 5000 used by DHL, FedEx and UPS, it equals 200 kg.

As a planning figure, a 20ft container holds about 33 CBM of internal space and a 40ft about 67 CBM, with a 40ft high cube at about 76 CBM. Cartons never fill every gap, so plan on loading roughly 25-28 CBM in a 20ft and 55-58 CBM in a 40ft. Exact figures vary by shipping line and container.

As a rule of thumb from our own bookings: under 22 kg, ship by air express; from 22 kg, if you are not in a hurry, consolidated sea shipping usually costs less; from 250 kg or 1.5 CBM, ask for an LCL or FCL quote. The right choice also depends on the goods and the destination.

No. The tool only calculates volume and equivalent weights. Ocean rates, surcharges and sailing schedules change every week, so contact our team with your carton list and destination for a quote on the actual shipment.

No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser; no sizes or weights are sent to our servers.