3D CBM Calculator
Punch in your carton size and watch your shipment stack itself into a real container. Get CBM, volumetric weight, and the right container - instantly.
📦 Your Cartons
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Get an Exact QuoteHow CBM is calculated
CBM (cubic meter) measures how much space your cargo occupies. The formula is simple:
CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) × Number of cartons
For example, 50 cartons of 60 × 40 × 40 cm = 0.6 × 0.4 × 0.4 × 50 = 4.8 CBM.
Volumetric weight: why light cargo isn't always cheap
Carriers charge for whichever is greater - your cargo's actual weight or the space it takes up. Air freight divides the volume in cubic centimeters by 6000; sea LCL treats 1 CBM as 1,000 kg (one "freight ton"). Bulky-but-light cargo like furniture or plastic goods almost always gets billed on volume, which surprises many first-time shippers.
Container capacity reference
| Container | Internal dimensions | Volume | Realistic load | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 33.2 CBM | 25–28 CBM | 28,200 kg |
| 40ft Standard | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m | 67.7 CBM | 54–58 CBM | 26,700 kg |
| 40ft High Cube | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 m | 76.4 CBM | 60–65 CBM | 26,580 kg |
The gap between rated volume and realistic load exists because real cartons leave packing gaps. Our visualizer above packs cartons the way a loading crew would - in neat rows - so the fill you see is closer to reality than a raw volume division.
LCL or FCL?
Below roughly 13–15 CBM, sharing a container (LCL) is usually cheaper. Beyond that, a full 20ft container (FCL) often costs less overall and clears customs faster since your cargo isn't waiting on co-loaders. Read our full guide: FCL vs LCL - which is right for your shipment?
Numbers from this calculator are estimates for planning. For an exact, all-inclusive quote from Chennai or Bengaluru, message us on WhatsApp - we reply fast.