Exporter tools
CBM Calculator – Calculate Cubic Meter for Shipping
Calculate shipping volume in cubic metres from cm, m, mm, inches or feet. Get CBM per package, total CBM and a clear step-by-step breakdown.
Your shipment volume
- CBM per package
- Quantity
- Converted dimensions in metres
Calculation breakdown
Displayed values are rounded; the total uses unrounded conversions. This is volume, not a freight price or chargeable weight.
What is CBM?
CBM means cubic metre (also spelled cubic meter). It measures the space a package occupies: a box measuring 1 metre on each side has a volume of 1 m³, or 1 CBM. It describes volume, not weight.
Use the outside dimensions of your packed carton, crate or pallet, including packaging and any protrusions. This calculator handles identical rectangular packages. For different sizes, calculate each group separately and add the totals. For an irregular item, a rectangular measurement is a bounding-box estimate, not its exact shape volume.
CBM formula
Total CBM = length in metres × width in metres × height in metres × quantity
First convert all three dimensions to metres. Multiply them to find CBM per package, then multiply by the number of identical packages. Changing the unit selector changes how your entered numbers are interpreted; it does not convert the numbers in the input boxes.
How to calculate CBM
For 10 cartons, each measuring 50 cm × 40 cm × 30 cm:
- Divide each dimension by 100: 0.50 m × 0.40 m × 0.30 m.
- Multiply the converted dimensions: 0.50 × 0.40 × 0.30 = 0.060 m³ per carton.
- Multiply by 10 cartons: 0.060 × 10 = 0.600 m³, or 0.60 CBM total.
Keep the original measurement precision until the final result. A small error repeated across many cartons can affect the total.
CBM unit conversion
The same unit must apply to length, width and height in a calculation.
| Input unit | Convert each dimension to metres |
|---|---|
| Metres (m) | No conversion |
| Centimetres (cm) | Divide by 100; 1 metre = 100 cm |
| Millimetres (mm) | Divide by 1,000; 1 metre = 1,000 mm |
| Inches (in) | Multiply by 0.0254; 1 inch = 0.0254 m |
| Feet (ft) | Multiply by 0.3048; 1 foot = 0.3048 m |
The inch and international-foot conversions are exact definitions. See NIST’s length conversion reference and international foot definition.
Why CBM matters in shipping
For sea freight and less-than-container-load (LCL) enquiries, volume helps describe how much space a shipment needs. Give your freight forwarder the package dimensions, total CBM, package count and gross weight when requesting a quotation.
CBM alone does not determine a shipping price. Chargeable weight, the service and the carrier’s terms can affect a quotation. DHL’s guide to chargeable weight explains why volume and weight both matter.
Volume is also useful for warehouse and logistics planning. Allow separately for access space, packing arrangements and stacking restrictions; the sum of package volumes is not a guarantee that goods will fit a particular space.
CBM examples
All dimensions below are the outside dimensions of one package.
| Dimensions | Quantity | CBM per package | Total CBM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 × 40 × 30 cm | 10 | 0.060 | 0.600 |
| 1 × 1 × 1 m | 1 | 1.000 | 1.000 |
| 60 × 40 × 40 cm | 5 | 0.096 | 0.480 |
| 1,000 × 500 × 400 mm | 2 | 0.200 | 0.400 |
| 2 × 2 × 2 feet | 1 | 0.226535 | 0.226535 |
Example values are rounded for display, not before calculating totals.
Common CBM calculation mistakes
- Forgetting quantity: one carton’s volume is not the whole shipment’s volume.
- Mixing units: convert measurements consistently; do not enter centimetres in one field and metres in another.
- Measuring the product alone: use the final packed dimensions, including the pallet where applicable.
- Rounding too early: retain precision through conversion and multiplication.
- Treating CBM as a weight or quote: cubic metres cannot be converted to kilograms without additional information.
Frequently asked questions
Is CBM the same as cubic metres?
Yes. One CBM is one cubic metre, written as 1 m³. “Cubic meter” is the US spelling of the same unit.
Can I calculate different carton sizes together?
This tool uses one set of dimensions for identical packages. Calculate each size group separately, then add the total CBM values. Do not multiply one carton’s dimensions by the combined count of differently sized cartons.
Should I enter inches and feet together?
No. Use decimal feet or convert the entire measurement to inches first. For example, 2 feet 6 inches is 2.5 feet or 30 inches. Enter a decimal point, not a fraction or a feet-and-inches notation.
How many decimal places should I use?
Enter your measured dimensions without rounding them unnecessarily. The calculator keeps unrounded values internally and normally displays up to six decimal places, with more for very small volumes so a positive result never appears as zero. Follow your freight provider’s requested precision when sending a quotation enquiry.
Does this calculate air-freight volumetric weight or shipping charges?
No. It calculates geometric volume only. Air-freight dimensional-weight formulas use additional factors. Obtain the applicable calculation and quotation terms from your freight provider.
What are the calculator’s input limits?
Each dimension must be between 0.001 mm and 100 m after conversion, and quantity must be a whole number from 1 to 1,000,000. These are input-safety limits, not carrier acceptance limits. Use a decimal point for measurements, with no commas, unit suffixes or scientific notation.
Are my measurements saved?
No. Calculations run in your browser. ExportMiya does not send or save your inputs. Copy Result places the displayed breakdown on your clipboard only when you request it. Reset clears the calculator.
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