CBM calculator
This CBM calculator adds up the cubic meters of your cartons or pallets for ocean freight. Enter each size in centimeters or inches with a quantity, and see the total CBM, the cubic feet and roughly how much of a 20 ft, 40 ft or 40 ft high cube container it fills.
- Several carton or pallet sizes, each with a quantity
- Centimeters or inches
- Fill of 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 ft high cube containers
Last updated
How to use the cbm calculator
- Choose centimeters or inches.
- Enter the outside length, width and height of one carton or pallet, and how many of that size you have.
- Add a row for each different size.
- Read the total CBM. The container figures show what share of each container’s internal volume the cargo takes up.
The CBM formula
CBM (cubic meters) is length × width × height in meters. Measure in centimeters and divide by 1,000,000, because a cubic meter is 100 × 100 × 100 cm.
CBM = length × width × height (cm) ÷ 1,000,000 × quantity
CBM = length × width × height (in) ÷ 61,024 × quantity
One cubic meter is 35.31 cubic feet. To fill a container, divide the total CBM by the container's internal volume.
Worked example
20 cartons of 60 × 40 × 50 cm, plus 2 pallets of 120 × 80 × 100 cm.
- Cartons: 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.5 = 0.12 m³ each, × 20 = 2.400 m³.
- Pallets: 1.2 × 0.8 × 1.0 = 0.96 m³ each, × 2 = 1.920 m³.
- Total: 2.400 + 1.920 = 4.320 CBM, or 152.6 cubic feet.
- Container fill: 4.32 ÷ 33.2 = 13% of a 20 ft container.
A load this far from filling a container is often shipped LCL, sharing a container with other cargo.
Container sizes in cubic meters
Internal volumes for Maersk's standard dry containers. Other lines' boxes are close but not identical, so check your carrier's figures for a tight load.
| Container | Internal volume | Inside length × width × height | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft standard | 33.2 m³ (1,172 cu ft) | 5.898 × 2.352 × 2.393 m | 28,300 kg |
| 40 ft standard | 67.7 m³ (2,391 cu ft) | 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.393 m | 28,870 kg |
| 40 ft high cube | 76.4 m³ (2,698 cu ft) | 12.032 × 2.352 × 2.698 m | 28,690 kg |
You will not use every cubic meter. Cartons rarely tessellate perfectly, pallets leave gaps, and the doors need clearance, so plan on loading less than the full internal volume. Heavy cargo can also hit the payload limit before the box is full.
CBM in inches and feet
For sizes in inches, multiply length × width × height and divide by 61,024 (the cubic inches in a cubic meter). A 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet is 92,160 ÷ 61,024 = 1.51 CBM. In feet, multiply the cubic feet by 0.0283: 53.33 cu ft is 1.51 CBM.
Common questions
How do I calculate CBM?
Multiply length × width × height in meters, then multiply by the number of cartons. In centimeters, divide the product by 1,000,000. A 60 × 40 × 50 cm carton is 120,000 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.12 CBM.
How big is 1 CBM?
One cubic meter is a cube 1 m (about 39.4 in) on each side, or 35.31 cubic feet. That is about two-thirds of a 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet load (1.51 CBM).
How do I calculate CBM from inches?
Multiply length × width × height in inches and divide by 61,024. A 24 × 18 × 12 in box is 5,184 ÷ 61,024 = 0.085 CBM.
How many CBM fit in a 20 ft container?
A Maersk 20 ft standard container has 33.2 m³ of internal volume, a 40 ft has 67.7 m³ and a 40 ft high cube has 76.4 m³. Real loads come in below those figures because of gaps between cartons.
What does CBM stand for?
Cubic meter, written m³. It is the standard volume unit for ocean freight, and shared-container (LCL) rates are often quoted per CBM.
Related calculators
Sources
- Maersk: A handy guide to Maersk’s fleet of containers (equipment flyer). Internal volumes 33.2 m³ (20 ft), 67.7 m³ (40 ft), 76.4 m³ (40 ft high cube), inside dimensions and payloads. Last checked 28 October 2026.
- NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.9 (conversion factors). 1 in = 2.54 cm exactly; 1 lb = 0.4535924 kg; 1 cu ft = 0.02831685 m³.
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