CBM calculator (cubic metres)
Calculate shipment volume in cubic metres, across several package types at once.
Package lines
Enter each package type with different dimensions on its own line.
This calculation uses the figures you entered and is not a formal quotation. Dimensions must be measured after final packing, including the pallet.
Request a Quote →CBM, or cubic metre, is the unit of shipment volume and the primary basis for pricing LCL sea freight, road groupage and container capacity estimates. If your consignment contains several package types, enter each on its own row to obtain the total.
The formula
The volume of a package is length × width × height, divided by one million to convert cubic centimetres to cubic metres. Total volume is the sum across all packages. For example, a carton of 120 × 80 × 100 cm equals 0.96 CBM.
Why accurate measurement matters
Dimensions must be taken after final packing and include the pallet, not the bare goods. In sea freight, pallet height and lashing space are also consumed. A gap between declared and actual volume is the most common reason a final invoice differs from the first estimate.
Using it to choose a mode
Once total volume is known you can decide between LCL and a full container. As a rough guide, from around 15 CBM upwards a 20ft container is usually both cheaper and faster than consolidation, though the exact break-even depends on the lane and current rates.
Carry the calculated volume into the enquiry form so we can review options for your lane.