CBM & Container Load Calculator
Enter your carton dimensions and quantity to get total cargo volume (CBM), air-freight volumetric weight, chargeable weight, and how your shipment fits into standard containers.
Total volume
3.6 m³
Gross weight
1,200 kg
Volumetric weight (air)
600 kg
Chargeable weight (air)
1,200 kg
Container Fit
Estimates use standard usable capacities (20GP ≈ 28 m³, 40GP ≈ 58 m³, 40HQ ≈ 68 m³) and the IATA ÷6000 volumetric divisor. Actual loadability depends on carton stackability and palletization — we confirm exact figures with every quote.
How CBM Is Calculated
One unit's volume is length × width × height. Measured in meters that yields cubic meters directly: CBM = (L × W × H) × quantity. A 40 × 30 × 30 cm carton is 0.036 m³ — one hundred of them make 3.6 m³.
Air freight charges by volumetric weight when cargo is light for its size: (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 6,000 per piece. Whichever is greater — actual or volumetric weight — becomes your chargeable weight. This calculator runs both numbers, plus the container fit, in one pass.
Container Capacity Reference
| Container | Internal dimensions | Usable volume | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ≈ 28 m³ | 28,200 kg |
| 40GP | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | ≈ 58 m³ | 26,700 kg |
| 40HQ | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | ≈ 68 m³ | 26,500 kg |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBM and how is it calculated?›
CBM (cubic meter) measures your cargo's volume: length × width × height of one carton in meters, multiplied by the number of cartons. Sea freight LCL rates are charged per CBM, so it directly determines your shipping cost.
What is volumetric weight and why does air freight use it?›
Airlines charge by whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight (carton volume in cm³ ÷ 6000). Light but bulky cargo pays by volume, not scale weight — the greater of the two is your chargeable weight.
How many CBM fit in a 20ft or 40ft container?›
Practically: about 26–28 m³ in a 20GP, 55–58 m³ in a 40GP, and 65–68 m³ in a 40HQ. Theoretical capacities are higher, but real-world loading loses space to carton shapes and palletization.
When should I ship LCL vs book a full container?›
As a rule of thumb, LCL makes sense below roughly 15 m³. Above that, a 20GP flat rate is often cheaper than per-CBM LCL pricing — and your cargo rides alone, with less handling and lower damage risk.
How do I calculate CBM for pallets?›
Exactly like cartons: pallet length × width × total height (goods plus the pallet itself, usually adding ~15 cm). A EUR pallet loaded to 150 cm is 1.2 × 0.8 × 1.5 = 1.44 m³. Add a pallet row in the calculator above and it handles the math.
How is chargeable weight different for sea LCL?›
Sea LCL uses the weight-or-measure (w/m) rule: 1 CBM is treated as 1,000 kg, and you pay the greater of volume or weight — unlike air freight's ÷6,000 volumetric divisor. Most general cargo is volume-charged at sea and weight-charged in the air.
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