CBM & Volumetric Weight Calculator

Calculates cubic metres (CBM), volumetric weight and chargeable weight from box sizes and quantities, and estimates how much fits in 20 ft and 40 ft containers and on pallets. Use it to check a freight or parcel quote.

How to use

1. Choose the "Dimension unit" (cm, mm, m or in) and the "Weight unit".
2. Enter the length, width, height, quantity and weight per piece of each item on one line; "Add item line" adds more.
3. Choose a "Volumetric divisor" such as 5000 or 6000 to get the total CBM, volumetric weight and chargeable weight.
4. Check "Container use (by volume)" and "Pallets", and keep the results with "Copy table" or "Save as CSV".

How it works

• CBM = length (m) × width (m) × height (m) × quantity, and 1 m³ = 35.3147 ft³.
• Volumetric weight = length × width × height in cm ÷ 5000 or 6000 (kg), or in inches ÷ 139 or 166 (lb). The chargeable weight is the greater of actual and volumetric weight.
• Default container sizes and payloads are figures published by Ocean Network Express (ONE); the page shows the date they were checked, and you can edit them.
• The quantity by volume assumes no gaps, so a real load is smaller. Freight charges and duties are not calculated.

Questions and answers

How do you calculate CBM?

Convert the dimensions to metres and multiply them by each other and by the quantity. Ten boxes of 50 × 40 × 30 cm are 0.5 × 0.4 × 0.3 × 10 = 0.6 CBM.

How is volumetric weight calculated?

Divide length × width × height in cm by the divisor. A 50 × 40 × 30 cm box is 60,000 ÷ 5000 = 12 kg, or 10 kg with 6000.

Should I use 5000 or 6000 as the divisor?

It depends on the carrier and service. The page calls 5000 common for express couriers and 6000 common for air cargo, but check the rule of the company that quoted you.

How many CBM fit in a 20 ft container?

With the default inside size of 5,898 × 2,350 × 2,390 mm, about 33.1 m³. Box shapes and gaps make the real load smaller.