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Logistics
CBM Calculator
Find total cubic meters for cartons and international freight.
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Package types
Unit system
Calculator guide
CBM for mixed carton sizes
CBM means cubic meter and is the standard volume unit used in international freight. Add multiple carton sizes to calculate total shipment volume, package count, gross weight, density and W/M freight tons.
Measure the outside of the packed carton, including any bulge or protective packaging. Each line can have different dimensions, quantity and gross weight.
Reviewed August 2026 by the DoMyCalc editorial teamHow to use it
- Add one line for every package size or SKU configuration.
- Enter outside length, width, height, quantity and gross unit weight.
- Use total CBM and gross weight when requesting a freight quotation.
CBM formula
CBM = length (cm) × width (cm) × height (cm) × quantity ÷ 1,000,000. Total CBM is the sum of every line.
Worked example
Twenty cartons measuring 60 × 40 × 35 cm occupy 1.68 m³. At 12 kg each, total gross weight is 240 kg and shipment density is about 142.9 kg/m³.
Freight notes
- Use packed external dimensions, not product dimensions.
- Carriers may round dimensions or apply minimum charges.
- W/M revenue tons are commonly the greater of cubic meters or metric tonnes.
How to use the shipment totals
Total CBM is the combined packed volume. Gross weight is the weight the shipment presents for transport. Density helps explain whether a load is relatively light or heavy for its volume.
Use the line breakdown in a packing list so a forwarder can reproduce the total instead of receiving only one aggregate number.
Avoid these freight errors
- Measuring the product instead of the packed carton
- Averaging different carton sizes
- Treating CBM as chargeable weight for every transport mode
Confirm with the forwarder
- Dimension rounding and minimum charges
- Whether cargo is stackable
- W/M rule and freight mode
Frequently asked questions
What does CBM stand for?
CBM means cubic meter, a unit of shipment volume equal to 1 m × 1 m × 1 m.
Can I combine different box sizes?
Yes. Add a separate line for each box size; the calculator sums their volume, quantity and gross weight.
Is CBM the same as chargeable weight?
No. CBM measures volume. Chargeable weight depends on the freight mode and carrier rules; use the dimensional weight calculator for parcel or air freight.