# What is the CBM of my shipment?

Computes the volume of a shipment in cubic metres (CBM) and cubic feet from the length, width and height of a carton and the number of cartons.

- Page: https://www.acalculator.org/logistics/cbm-calculator
- JSON spec: https://www.acalculator.org/logistics/cbm-calculator.json
- Version: 02c24f7867f7

## Default answer

Example with the default inputs (Length 19.6850393700787 in, Width 15.748031496063 in, Height 11.8110236220472 in, Number of cartons 10): The shipment takes up 0.6 m³ (21.19 ft³).

## Inputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| l | Length | The outside length of one carton or package. |
| w | Width | The outside width of one carton or package. |
| h | Height | The outside height of one carton or package. |
| n | Number of cartons | How many cartons of this size are in the shipment. |

## Outputs

| Key | Label | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| cbm | Total CBM (m³) | The volume of all the cartons in cubic metres: CBM of one carton × the number of cartons. |
| each | CBM of one carton (m³) | Length × width × height of one carton, in cubic metres. |
| cubicFeet | Total cubic feet (ft³) | The total volume in cubic feet (1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³). |
| liters | Total litres | The total volume in litres (1 m³ = 1,000 L). |

## Method

CBM of one carton = length × width × height in metres; total CBM = CBM of one carton × number of cartons; cubic feet = CBM ÷ 0.028316846592.

## Assumptions

- Sizes are the outside dimensions of each carton, which carriers measure.
- Every carton has the same size; for mixed sizes, add up the CBM of each size.

## Worked examples

1. l = 0.5, w = 0.4, h = 0.3, n = 10 gives each = 0.06, cbm = 0.6, liters = 600, cubicFeet = 21.1888. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 in = 2.54 cm; 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³). https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c.
2. l = 0.6096, w = 0.4572, h = 0.3048, n = 4 gives cubicFeet = 12, each = 0.084951, cbm = 0.339802. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 in = 2.54 cm; 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³). https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c.
3. l = 1.2, w = 1, h = 1.5, n = 1 gives cbm = 1.8, cubicFeet = 63.5664. Source: NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement (1 in = 2.54 cm; 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³). https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c.

## FAQ

### What is CBM?

CBM stands for cubic meter, the volume of a box 1 m long, 1 m wide and 1 m high. Freight forwarders and sea carriers price less-than-container loads by the CBM.

### How do I calculate CBM?

Multiply length × width × height in meters. A 50 × 40 × 30 cm carton is 0.5 × 0.4 × 0.3 = 0.06 m³. Multiply by the number of cartons for the shipment: 10 cartons are 0.6 CBM.

### How do I calculate CBM from inches?

Multiply the three sizes in inches for cubic inches, then multiply by 0.000016387064 (one cubic inch in m³). A 24 × 18 × 12 in box is 5,184 in³ = 0.0850 m³. The calculator does this for you: pick inches in the unit menu.

### How many cubic feet are in one CBM?

One cubic meter is 35.31 cubic feet, because 1 ft³ is 0.028316846592 m³ exactly. So 0.6 CBM is 0.6 ÷ 0.028316846592 = 21.19 ft³.

### Should I measure the box or the product?

Measure the outside of the carton, with any bulges, because that is the space it takes in a container. Round each size up to the next whole centimeter or half inch if it is not square.

### How do I add cartons of different sizes?

Work out the CBM of each size with its count, then add the totals. The calculator handles one carton size at a time.

## Sources

- NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C, General Tables of Units of Measurement: 1 in = 2.54 cm; 1 ft = 0.3048 m; 1 ft³ = 0.028316846592 m³; 1 L = 0.001 m³. https://www.nist.gov/document/2026-nist-handbook-44-appendix-c (retrieved 2026-10-02)