CBM Calculator
Calculate the cubic volume of your shipment and find the right container size — instantly
Container recommendations
Enter item dimensions above to see recommendations
Cubic meters: the universal unit of freight volume
CBM (Cubic Meter) is the standard unit used in international shipping to measure cargo volume. Freight forwarders and carriers use it to price LCL shipments and determine how much space your cargo occupies in a container.
Formula
CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) × Quantity
How to calculate CBM in 4 steps
Convert dimensions to meters
Measure your cargo and convert all dimensions to meters. 1 cm = 0.01 m, 1 inch = 0.0254 m, 1 ft = 0.3048 m.
Multiply length × width × height
This gives you the volume of one unit in cubic meters.
Multiply by quantity
Multiply the volume per unit by the number of units of that type.
Sum all item types
Add together the CBM of all item types for your total shipment volume.
CBM capacity by container type
Standard internal dimensions and maximum cargo volumes for the most common container types
| Container | Internal dimensions (L × W × H) | CBM capacity | Max payload | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Dry Container | 5.90m × 2.35m × 2.39m | 33.2 m³ | 28,180 kg | Dense, heavy cargo — ideal when weight fills the container before volume does |
| 40ft Dry Container | 12.03m × 2.35m × 2.39m | 67.7 m³ | 26,680 kg | Standard full container loads for mixed general cargo |
| 40ft High Cube | 12.03m × 2.35m × 2.70m | 76.3 m³ | 26,480 kg | Bulky, lightweight cargo needing extra height clearance |
| 53ft Domestic Container | 16.15m × 2.44m × 2.90m | 114.1 m³ | 29,000 kg | US domestic road freight, large volume intermodal shipments |
20ft Dry Container
CBM capacity
33.2 m³
Max payload
28,180 kg
Internal dimensions (L × W × H)
5.90m × 2.35m × 2.39m
Dense, heavy cargo — ideal when weight fills the container before volume does
40ft Dry Container
CBM capacity
67.7 m³
Max payload
26,680 kg
Internal dimensions (L × W × H)
12.03m × 2.35m × 2.39m
Standard full container loads for mixed general cargo
40ft High Cube
CBM capacity
76.3 m³
Max payload
26,480 kg
Internal dimensions (L × W × H)
12.03m × 2.35m × 2.70m
Bulky, lightweight cargo needing extra height clearance
53ft Domestic Container
CBM capacity
114.1 m³
Max payload
29,000 kg
Internal dimensions (L × W × H)
16.15m × 2.44m × 2.90m
US domestic road freight, large volume intermodal shipments
CBM capacities are practical loading limits. Actual usable volume may be slightly lower due to container wall thickness and loading gaps.
When to choose LCL or FCL
Use your CBM total to decide the most cost-effective shipping method
Choose LCL (Less than Container Load)
- Your cargo is under 15 CBM
- You ship small, frequent orders
- You want to avoid paying for unused container space
- Delivery flexibility is acceptable
Choose FCL (Full Container Load)
- Your cargo exceeds 15–20 CBM
- You need faster, more predictable transit times
- Cargo requires dedicated space — fragile, high-value, or hazardous
- You can fill 70% or more of a standard container
The 15 CBM rule of thumb
As a general rule, FCL becomes more cost-effective than LCL when your shipment exceeds 15 CBM or 10 tonnes. Below this threshold, LCL usually offers better value since you only pay for the space you use. Above it, the fixed cost of a full container is often lower per CBM than LCL rates.