Free CBM Calculator & Shipping Volume Guide | One Logistics Egypt

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Free CBM Calculator & Shipping Volume Guide

Calculate cargo volume, volumetric weight and chargeable weight for multiple loads, then understand how CBM is used in air and sea freight planning.

Calculate CBM

Practical shipping tool for importers, exporters and logistics teams.

Multiple loadsVolumetric & chargeable weightContainer capacity reference

Container terminal with stacked shipping containers and a gantry crane

Example120 × 100 × 150 cm= 1.80 m³ per unit

Multi-load calculator

Enter dimensions in centimetres and the weight of one unit in kilograms. Calculate each load, then add more loads as needed — the grand total combines every calculated load.

Multi-Load CBM Calculator

Volumetric weight in this calculator uses the air-freight standard of 1 CBM = 167 kg (L × W × H in cm ÷ 6000). For sea freight, compare your total CBM using the common ratio of 1 CBM ≈ 1,000 kg.

The basics

What is CBM?

CBM stands for Cubic Meter. It is the international standard for measuring the volume of cargo. In simple terms, it tells you how much space your shipment occupies inside a container, truck, or aircraft.

For freight forwarding, the calculation doesn’t stop at volume. Carriers compare the actual weight (how heavy it is) against the volumetric weight (how much space it takes) and charge for whichever is higher.

The golden formulaLength × Width × Height (m) = CBM (m³)Measuring in centimetres? Multiply L × W × H and divide by 1,000,000.

Step by step

How to calculate CBM

Use the same three steps for every package type. The example below matches the calculator’s first load.

Measure one unit

Measure the length, width and height of one packed unit in centimetres.

120 × 100 × 150 cm

Calculate volume per unit

Multiply the three dimensions and divide by 1,000,000 to convert cm³ to m³.

120 × 100 × 150 ÷ 1,000,000 = 1.80 m³

Multiply by the number of units

Multiply the volume of one unit by the number of identical units in the load.

1.80 m³ × 2 units = 3.60 m³

Weight vs space

Volumetric and chargeable weight

Light but bulky goods (like cotton or foam) take up space that could carry heavier cargo, so carriers convert volume into a volumetric weight. You are charged on whichever is higher.

1Volumetric weight (air): L × W × H in cm ÷ 6000 — equivalent to 1 CBM = 167 kg.

2Chargeable weight: the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight.

Worked example2 units · 120 × 100 × 150 cm · 200 kg each

Total volume: 3.60 m³
Total actual weight: 400.00 kg
Total volumetric weight (× 167): 601.20 kg
Chargeable weight: 601.20 kg

Volumetric weight is higher than the actual weight, so it becomes the chargeable weight.

Air vs sea

How CBM is used in air and sea freight

Air freight

1 CBM ≈ 167 kgDivisor 6000 (1:6 ratio)

Volumetric weight (kg) = L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000
Air freight is much more sensitive to space
Charged on the higher of actual or volumetric weight

Air Freight service

Sea freight

1 CBM ≈ 1,000 kgWeight or measure (1 CBM ≈ 1 tonne)

Volume and weight are compared at roughly 1 CBM to 1 tonne
Whichever is higher — actual weight or volume — is usually charged
Specific carrier formulas may vary

Sea Freight service

Sea freight (FCL)

How much fits? Container capacity

Knowing your CBM allows you to choose the right container. If you are shipping via sea freight (FCL), making sure your cargo fits efficiently helps you avoid paying for unused space.

Container type	Dimensions (L × W × H)	Max volume (CBM)	Max payload (kg)
20' Standard	5.90 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m	33.2 m³	25,000 kg
40' Standard	12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m	67.7 m³	27,600 kg
40' High Cube (HC)	12.03 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m	76.4 m³	28,600 kg
45' High Cube	13.55 m × 2.35 m × 2.69 m	86.0 m³	27,700 kg

Planning tipYou can rarely use 100% of a container because of packaging gaps and loading limitations. A safe estimate is to plan for about 28–30 CBM in a 20' container.

*Internal dimensions may vary slightly depending on the shipping line and container manufacturer.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Why is CBM important for my pricing?

Freight rates are often calculated based on “Revenue Tons.” If your goods are light but bulky (like cotton or foam), you will be charged based on the space (CBM) rather than the weight. Calculating CBM helps you estimate this cost accurately.

What is the difference between air and sea calculation?

Air freight is much more sensitive to space. Standard air freight uses a divisor of 6000 (or 1:6 ratio), meaning 1 CBM is considered equivalent to 167 kg. Sea freight often uses a ratio of 1:1000 (1 CBM = 1 ton) for LCL, though specific carrier formulas may vary.

How do I calculate CBM for cylindrical packages?

Shipping carriers treat cylinders (like rolled carpets or pipes) as squares. Measure the diameter of the circle and treat it as both the length and width. The formula becomes: Diameter × Diameter × Length = CBM.

Can I squeeze more into a container than the “Max Volume”?

Usually, no. While a 20' container technically holds 33 CBM, in practice you can rarely utilize 100% of that space due to packaging gaps and loading limitations. A safe estimate is to utilize about 28–30 CBM for a 20' container.

Does One Logistics help with load planning?

Yes. Our team can help you optimize your packing list to ensure you aren’t paying for “air.” We can suggest pallet configurations or consolidation strategies to maximize your container usage.

Do airlines and shipping lines use the same CBM rules?

No. Ocean freight typically compares CBM with weight, while air freight converts volume into volumetric weight using a fixed formula: Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 6000.

Keep exploring

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Need help planning your load?

Our team can help you optimize your packing list so you aren’t paying for unused space.

Contact our team