CBM (Cubic Meter) is a key measurement used in international shipping and freight forwarding to calculate how much space your cargo occupies. Whether you’re shipping ocean freight, air cargo, or trucking LTL (less-than-truckload), knowing your cargo’s CBM is crucial for determining freight costs, container utilization, and shipment planning.
In the world of logistics, space = money. Understanding CBM helps you optimize how much you ship—and what you pay to ship it.
How to Calculate CBM
CBM measures volume, not weight. It’s the total cubic space your cargo takes up, calculated by multiplying length × width × height in meters.
For example, if your box is:
- 1.2 meters long
- 1.0 meter wide
- 1.0 meter high
Then:
1.2 × 1.0 × 1.0 = 1.2 Cubic Meters
This tells your forwarder or carrier exactly how much room to allocate in a container, truck, or plane.
If you’re working with inches or feet, you’ll need to convert to meters first. Many forwarders (like us!) offer CBM calculators to make this easy—just input your dimensions and quantity.
Why CBM Matters in Freight Shipping
Carriers and logistics providers often charge based on volume weight (dimensional weight) rather than just actual weight—especially for bulky, lightweight items. That means two shipments of equal weight could have very different costs if one takes up more space.
CBM is especially important when:
- Booking LCL (Less-than-Container Load) ocean freight
- Calculating air cargo charges where volume weight rules apply
- Splitting shipments between pallets or cartons
- Comparing container options (20’, 40’, or 40’ HC)
- Managing container optimization or load planning
Common Reference: How Many CBM Fit in Standard Containers?
- 20-foot container: ~33 Cubic Meters
- 40-foot container: ~67 Cubic Meters
- 40-foot high cube: ~76 Cubic Meters
Keep in mind—your cargo’s shape, packaging, and stackability all affect how much of that CBM you can actually use.
Need help with your shipments? Contact us today!