CBM Stands for Cubic Meters

CBM is the abbreviation for Cubic Meters (m³). It is the standard unit of volume measurement in international shipping, freight, and logistics. One CBM equals a cube that measures 1 meter (100 cm) on every side.

One CBM equals 1,000 liters, 35.3147 cubic feet, or 1.30795 cubic yards. Freight forwarders, ocean carriers, and air cargo companies worldwide use CBM to calculate shipment volume and determine pricing.

Key Takeaway

CBM = Cubic Meters = m³. It is the universal volume unit for international shipping. Calculate CBM by multiplying length × width × height in meters. One CBM = 35.315 cubic feet = 1,000 liters.

The CBM Formula

For a single package or carton:

Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) = CBM per unit

For a full shipment:

CBM per unit × Number of units = Total CBM

All measurements must be in meters. If your measurements are in centimeters, divide each by 100. If they're in inches, divide each by 39.37.

Example: 100 cartons, each 50 × 40 × 30 cm

Convert to meters: 0.50 × 0.40 × 0.30 = 0.06 CBM per carton

0.06 × 100 = 6.0 CBM total

Example: 25 pallets, each 120 × 100 × 150 cm

Convert to meters: 1.20 × 1.00 × 1.50 = 1.80 CBM per pallet

1.80 × 25 = 45.0 CBM total

Example: A single crate 2.4 × 1.2 × 1.8 m

2.4 × 1.2 × 1.8 = 5.184 CBM

Shipping Container Capacities

Shipping containers have standardized internal dimensions. Here are the actual usable capacities:

Container Type Internal Dimensions (L × W × H) Capacity (CBM) Max Payload (kg)
20-foot standard5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m33.2 CBM21,770
40-foot standard12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m67.7 CBM26,680
40-foot high cube12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m76.3 CBM26,460
45-foot high cube13.56 × 2.35 × 2.69 m85.7 CBM25,600
📦 Real-world packing

You never fill 100% of a container's CBM capacity. Irregularly shaped goods, pallet spacing, and stacking limitations reduce usable space to approximately 80–90% of the theoretical capacity. Plan for 26–28 CBM in a 20-footer and 55–60 CBM in a 40-footer.

CBM vs. Weight: How Shipping Is Priced

Ocean and air freight use a "whichever is greater" pricing model. Carriers compare the actual weight to the volumetric weight and charge for the higher value.

Ocean freight

The standard ratio is 1 CBM = 1,000 kg (1 metric ton). If your cargo is 5 CBM but weighs only 2,000 kg (2 metric tons), you pay for 5 CBM. If it weighs 7,000 kg, you pay for 7 metric tons.

Air freight

The standard ratio is 1 CBM = 167 kg (or 6,000 cm³ = 1 kg). Air freight volumetric weight is calculated as:

L (cm) × W (cm) × H (cm) ÷ 6,000 = Volumetric Weight (kg)

Example: 10 cartons, each 60 × 40 × 40 cm, weighing 15 kg each

Actual weight: 10 × 15 = 150 kg

Volumetric weight: (60 × 40 × 40) ÷ 6,000 = 16 kg per carton × 10 = 160 kg

Chargeable weight: 160 kg (volumetric is higher)

💡 How to reduce CBM

Reduce packaging dimensions, flatten products when possible, and use vacuum packaging for textiles. Every centimeter saved on height multiplies across hundreds of cartons. Reducing a carton from 40 cm to 35 cm tall saves 12.5% of CBM.

Calculate CBM Instantly

Enter your package dimensions and quantity to get the total CBM for your shipment.

Open CBM Calculator →

CBM Conversion Table

Use this table to convert between CBM and other volume units:

CBM (m³) Cubic Feet (ft³) Cubic Yards (yd³) Liters (L) US Gallons
0.517.660.654500132.1
135.311.3081,000264.2
5176.576.5405,0001,320.9
10353.1513.07910,0002,641.7
20706.2926.15920,0005,283.4
33.21,172.4743.4233,2008,774.4
501,765.7365.39850,00013,208.6
67.72,390.8488.5367,70017,882.3
76.32,694.5299.7876,30020,154.1

How to Calculate CBM for Your Shipment

Follow these 4 steps for any shipment:

  1. Measure each carton — Record the outer dimensions (length, width, height) of one carton in centimeters.
  2. Convert to meters — Divide each measurement by 100.
  3. Calculate per-unit CBM — Multiply length × width × height.
  4. Multiply by quantity — Per-unit CBM × number of cartons = total shipment CBM.
⚠️ Measure the outer dimensions

Freight carriers measure the outer box, not the inner product. Include all packaging, padding, and any protruding parts in your measurements. Rounding up to the nearest centimeter is standard practice.

CBM for Common Goods

Product Type Typical Carton Size (cm) CBM per Carton Cartons per 20ft Container
Clothing / textiles60 × 40 × 400.096~300
Electronics50 × 35 × 300.053~500
Furniture (flat-pack)120 × 60 × 150.108~250
Ceramic tiles60 × 60 × 100.036~700
Canned food40 × 30 × 250.030~800
Auto parts50 × 40 × 350.070~380

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CBM stand for?

Cubic Meters. CBM is the abbreviation used in international shipping and logistics. It is identical to m³.

How many cubic feet in 1 CBM?

One CBM equals 35.3147 cubic feet. Multiply CBM by 35.3147 to convert.

How many CBM fit in a 20-foot container?

A 20-foot standard container has an internal capacity of approximately 33.2 CBM. Practical loading capacity is 26–28 CBM.

How many CBM fit in a 40-foot container?

A 40-foot standard container holds approximately 67.7 CBM. A 40-foot high cube holds 76.3 CBM. Practical loading is 55–65 CBM.

How do I convert CBM to cubic yards?

Multiply CBM by 1.30795. Example: 10 CBM × 1.30795 = 13.08 cubic yards.

What is the difference between CBM and CFT?

CBM (Cubic Meters) is metric. CFT (Cubic Feet) is imperial. 1 CBM = 35.3147 CFT. International shipping uses CBM; US domestic shipping uses CFT.

How is CBM used in freight pricing?

Carriers calculate both actual weight and volumetric weight (based on CBM) and charge whichever is greater. For ocean freight, 1 CBM = 1 metric ton. For air freight, 1 CBM = 167 kg.

Free CBM Calculator

Enter package dimensions, quantity, and get the total CBM for your shipment instantly.

Calculate CBM →