Freight is charged on volume or weight, whichever is greater. A 20 ft container holds about 33 m³ (28 m³ usable).
How to use the CBM Calculator
- Carton length
- Carton width
- Carton height
- Number of cartons
- Gross weight per carton
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Multiply carton dimensions in metres and the number of cartons; air freight uses a density of 167 kg per m³.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Carton length | Units: cm, m, in |
| Carton width | Units: cm, m, in |
| Carton height | Units: cm, m, in |
| Number of cartons | A number |
| Gross weight per carton | Units: kg, lb, g, oz, st |
What each result means
- Total volume = [Carton length]×[Carton width]×[Carton height]×[Number of cartons]
- In cubic feet = [Total volume]×35.3147
- Total gross weight = [Gross weight per carton]×[Number of cartons]
- Air chargeable weight = max([Total volume]×167, [Total gross weight])
- Share of a 20 ft container (28 m³) = [Total volume]÷28×100
Example values
How the main result changes when Carton length changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Carton length (cm) | Total volume (m³) |
|---|---|
| 30 | 2.4 |
| 45 | 3.6 |
| 60 | 4.8 |
| 75 | 6 |
| 90 | 7.2 |
| 120 | 9.6 |
Formula
CBM = length × width × height (m) × cartonsAir volumetric weight = CBM × 167 kgWorked example
Inputs — Carton length: 60 cm; Carton width: 40 cm; Carton height: 40 cm; Number of cartons: 50; Gross weight per carton: 12 kg.
Results — Total volume = 4.8 m³; In cubic feet = 169.5 ft³; Total gross weight = 600 kg; Air chargeable weight = 801.6 kg; Share of a 20 ft container (28 m³) = 17.1 %.
Frequently asked questions
What is LCL?
Less-than-container load, where you pay for the cubic metres your cargo occupies.
How much fits in a 40 ft container?
About 67 m³ in total, roughly 58 m³ usable.
What formula does the CBM Calculator use?
CBM = length × width × height (m) × cartons.