CBM Shipping Calculator — Cubic Metre Volume & Chargeable Weight
Enter your carton dimensions and quantity to get the total cubic-metre volume (CBM), volumetric weight for air or courier freight, and the chargeable weight — the higher of actual and volumetric — that carriers use to price your shipment.
cm
cm
cm
kg
Freight mode
Cubic metres (CBM) — the volume your shipment occupies
0.96
m³- 1
Volume per carton
120 × 80 × 100 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.96Dimensions in cm converted to m³ (÷ 1,000,000). - 2
Total shipment volume
0.96 × 1 cartons = 0.9600
How does this calculator work?
CBM = L × W × H (cm) ÷ 1,000,000 × number of cartons. Air-freight volumetric weight = CBM × 167 kg/m³ (÷ 6,000 cm³/kg); chargeable weight = max(actual, volumetric). Sea freight is priced per CBM or per revenue tonne (1,000 kg), whichever is greater. Always confirm divisors with your carrier.
Formula
How this is calculated
CBM (Cubic Metre) is the standard unit for measuring cargo volume in international shipping. One CBM equals 1 m³; your shipment's total CBM is simply length × width × height in metres, multiplied by the number of cartons. Freight carriers — especially air and courier services — charge based on the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight, because bulky but light cargo takes up space that could hold other freight.
Volumetric weight is calculated by dividing the carton volume in cubic centimetres by a divisor set by the carrier. IATA and most airlines use 6,000 cm³/kg (equivalent to 167 kg/m³); DHL, FedEx and UPS typically use 5,000 cm³/kg (200 kg/m³). Sea freight is generally priced per CBM or per revenue tonne, whichever is higher, where 1 revenue tonne = 1,000 kg.
The chargeable weight is the billing basis: if your cartons are very light relative to their size, you will be charged as if they weighed more. Use this calculator to decide whether to compress packaging or re-pack cartons to reduce volumetric weight, and to get quotes from freight forwarders. Always confirm the divisor and minimum charges with your actual carrier, as commercial agreements can vary.
Frequently asked questions
CBM stands for Cubic Metre — the metric volume unit used universally in sea, air and land freight. One CBM is a box 1 m × 1 m × 1 m (100 cm on each side). Freight rates for ocean shipments (LCL) are typically quoted per CBM.
Airlines charge on chargeable weight — the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. If your cartons are light but large, the volumetric weight will be higher and that is what you are billed for. Denser, more compact packing reduces volumetric weight and can lower your freight cost.
The divisor converts volume to a comparable "equivalent weight." A lower divisor (5,000 for couriers) makes volumetric weight appear heavier for the same box size, meaning couriers charge more for bulky light cargo than standard airline freight. Always check which divisor your specific carrier uses.
Also known as
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. (2026). CBM Shipping Calculator — Cubic Metre Volume & Chargeable Weight [Online calculator]. TG we-Calculate. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/cbm-shipping-calculator
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team. "CBM Shipping Calculator — Cubic Metre Volume & Chargeable Weight." TG we-Calculate. 2026. https://we-calculate.com/calculator/cbm-shipping-calculator.
TG we-Calculate Editorial Team, "CBM Shipping Calculator — Cubic Metre Volume & Chargeable Weight," TG we-Calculate, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://we-calculate.com/calculator/cbm-shipping-calculator
@misc{wecalculate_cbm_shipping_calculator, title = {CBM Shipping Calculator — Cubic Metre Volume & Chargeable Weight}, author = {{TG we-Calculate Editorial Team}}, howpublished = {\url{https://we-calculate.com/calculator/cbm-shipping-calculator}}, year = {2026}, note = {TG we-Calculate} }
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