CBM calculator for shipping
Enter your cartons or pallets to see the volume in cubic metres, the total weight and a rough idea of how much container you need.
How the calculation works
CBM stands for cubic metre, the unit sea freight uses for volume. For one carton, multiply length by width by height, all in metres. If you measured in centimetres, divide each figure by 100 first. Then multiply by the number of cartons.
A worked example
A carton measures 60 x 40 x 50 cm, which is 0.6 x 0.4 x 0.5 = 0.12 m³. You ship 100 of them, so the volume is 12 m³. At 15 kg each the weight is 1,500 kg. For LCL (less than container load, where your goods share a container with other shippers) the carrier compares the two figures, and this shipment is charged on 12 m³ because that is the larger number.
That comparison is the rule behind LCL pricing. Carriers charge per cubic metre or per 1,000 kg, whichever is greater. A pallet of 1.4 tonnes that takes up 1 m³ is charged as 1.4, not 1. See sea freight from Asia to Hamburg for how FCL and LCL differ.
Nominal container volumes
Internal volume of the common container types, rounded.
About 33 m³
The standard 20 ft container. Often chosen for heavy cargo or smaller volumes.
About 67 m³
The standard 40 ft container, with the same internal height as the 20GP.
About 76 m³
About 30 cm taller than the 40GP. A good fit for light, bulky cartons.
When the result is only a rough guide
The figures above are nominal. In practice you lose space to gaps between cartons, uneven stack heights, pallets and the room needed at the door, so usable volume is noticeably lower. Weight can also run out before space does, because every container has a payload limit.
The carrier decides the final figure. For LCL, the consolidator measures and weighs the cargo at the container freight station, and that measurement is what you are billed on. FCL is billed per container, so the calculator only helps you pick the size.
As a rule of thumb, LCL often stops being the cheaper choice somewhere around 13 to 15 m³. Beyond that, compare it with a full 20GP. TradeRoute EU prices both side by side for shipments in that range. For trucks and air freight, use the loading metre calculator or the chargeable weight calculator instead.
Common questions about CBM
How do I calculate CBM?
Multiply length, width and height in metres, then multiply by the number of cartons. If your sizes are in centimetres, multiply the three figures and divide by 1,000,000.
How many CBM fit in a 40 ft container?
A 40GP holds about 67 m³ on paper and a 40HC about 76 m³. Real loads usually come in below that because of packing gaps and door space.
Is CBM the same as m³?
Yes. CBM is shipping shorthand for cubic metre, so 1 CBM is 1 m³.
When is FCL cheaper than LCL?
Often from around 13 to 15 m³, but it depends on the lane, the season and the carrier. Ask for both quotes and compare the total, including charges at the destination.
Is there a minimum for LCL?
Many consolidators apply a minimum charge per shipment, commonly equal to 1 m³. The exact minimum differs by carrier, so check it before booking.
Get a quote for your shipment
Send us your carton sizes, quantities and the port of loading. We reply within 24 business hours with an itemised quote, and we price LCL and FCL where both make sense. TradeRoute EU handles the booking, the customs clearance in Germany and delivery.
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