CBM Calculator

  • Free Tool

CBM Calculator for Importers

Enter your carton dimensions and quantity to calculate total volume, container fill rate, and chargeable weight. Used by buyers shipping from Yiwu every day.

containers shipped/year
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countries served
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years in Yiwu
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Single item calculator
Multi-item shipment
Item / SKU L Γ— W Γ— H (cm) Qty CBM
Total CBM β€” all items
β€”
πŸ“¦

Enter dimensions above to
calculate your CBM

Total CBM
0mΒ³
β€”
Per carton (mΒ³)
β€”
Total weight (kg)
β€”
Chargeable weight
β€”
Total cartons
Container fill rate
Enter dimensions to see fill rate
Next step
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'; return; } empty.style.display = 'none'; content.style.display = ''; document.getElementById('out-cbm').textContent = fmt(totalCbm, 4); document.getElementById('out-unit-cbm').textContent = fmt(unitCbm, 4); document.getElementById('out-total-wt').textContent = totalWt > 0 ? fmt(totalWt, 1) + ' kg' : 'β€”'; document.getElementById('out-chw').textContent = totalWt > 0 || totalCbm > 0 ? fmt(chw, 1) + ' kg' : 'β€”'; document.getElementById('out-qty').textContent = Math.round(qty).toLocaleString(); // Containers document.getElementById('con-rows').innerHTML = containers.map(c => { const pct = totalCbm / c.cap * 100; const fillPct = Math.min(pct, 100); const needed = Math.ceil(totalCbm / c.cap); const over = pct > 100; const color = over ? '#E6212A' : c.color; return `
${c.icon}
${c.name} ${c.cap} CBM
${fmt(pct, 1)}%
${needed} container${needed > 1 ? 's' : ''}
`; }).join(''); } /* ── Multi-item ─────────────────────────────────────────── */ function addItem() { items.push({ id: iid++, name: '', l: '', w: '', h: '', qty: 1 }); renderItems(); } function removeItem(id) { items = items.filter(i => i.id !== id); renderItems(); } function setField(id, f, v, el) { const item = items.find(i => i.id === id); if (item) { item[f] = v; // renderItems(); updateItemCBM(el.closest('.item-row'), item); // βœ… ζ›΄ζ–°ζ€»ζ•° updateTotal(); } } function renderItems() { const list = document.getElementById('items-list'); list.innerHTML = items.map(item => { const l = parseFloat(item.l) || 0; const w = parseFloat(item.w) || 0; const h = parseFloat(item.h) || 0; const q = parseFloat(item.qty) || 1; const cbm = (l / 100) * (w / 100) * (h / 100) * q; const cbmStr = cbm > 0 ? fmt(cbm, 4) : 'β€”'; return `
${cbmStr}
`; }).join(''); const total = items.reduce((s, item) => { const l = parseFloat(item.l) || 0, w = parseFloat(item.w) || 0, h = parseFloat(item.h) || 0, q = parseFloat(item.qty) || 1; return s + (l / 100) * (w / 100) * (h / 100) * q; }, 0); document.getElementById('multi-total').textContent = total > 0 ? fmt(total, 4) + ' mΒ³' : 'β€”'; } function updateItemCBM(row, item) { const l = parseFloat(item.l) || 0; const w = parseFloat(item.w) || 0; const h = parseFloat(item.h) || 0; const q = parseFloat(item.qty) || 1; const cbm = (l / 100) * (w / 100) * (h / 100) * q; const cbmStr = cbm > 0 ? fmt(cbm, 4) : 'β€”'; row.querySelector('.item-cbm').textContent = cbmStr; } function updateTotal() { const total = items.reduce((s, item) => { const l = parseFloat(item.l) || 0; const w = parseFloat(item.w) || 0; const h = parseFloat(item.h) || 0; const q = parseFloat(item.qty) || 1; return s + (l / 100) * (w / 100) * (h / 100) * q; }, 0); document.getElementById('multi-total').textContent = total > 0 ? fmt(total, 4) + ' mΒ³' : 'β€”'; } /* ── Init ───────────────────────────────────────────────── */ addItem(); addItem();

How to Calculate CBM for Your Shipment

CBM stands forΒ cubic meterΒ β€” the standard unit freight companies use to measure shipment volume. Every carrier, freight forwarder, and customs declaration uses CBM. If you are sourcing products from Yiwu or anywhere in China, you need to know your CBM before you can get an accurate shipping quote.

The formula is simple:Β Length Γ— Width Γ— Height Γ· 1,000,000 = CBM per cartonΒ (when dimensions are in centimeters). Multiply by the number of cartons to get your total shipment volume.

What Is Chargeable Weight?

Freight companies charge based on whichever is higher β€” actual weight or volumetric weight. For sea freight, the standard conversion isΒ 1 CBM = 167 kg. If your shipment’s actual weight is lower than 167 kg per CBM, you are paying for volume, not weight. This matters most for lightweight, bulky goods like toys, textiles, and packaging.

Standard Container Sizes

Container Type
Usable Volume
Max Payload
Best For
20' Standard (20GP)
25–26 CBM
28,000 kg
Dense/heavy goods: hardware, metals, ceramics
40' Standard (40GP)
54–56 CBM
30,000 kg
General cargo, mixed shipments
40' High Cube (40HQ)
67–68 CBM
30,000 kg
Lightweight bulky goods: furniture, toys, textiles
Less than Container Load (LCL)
Any volume
β€”
Shipments under 15 CBM β€” share a container

When to Choose LCL vs FCL

LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods share a container with other shippers. FCL (Full Container Load) means you book the entire container. As a general rule: if your shipment is underΒ 15 CBM, LCL is usually cheaper. Above 15 CBM, FCL becomes more cost-effective because you pay a flat rate for the container rather than per CBM.

Once you know your total CBM, use ourΒ freight estimatorΒ to get LCL and FCL price ranges for your destination country. To see the full landed cost including duties and agent fees, try theΒ sourcing cost calculator.

Our team ships overΒ 3,000 containers per yearΒ from our 13,000 mΒ² Yiwu warehouse. We can advise on the right shipping method for your order size and destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure carton dimensions correctly?

Measure the outside of the carton β€” length is the longest side, width is the middle, height is the shortest. Measure in centimeters for the most accurate result. Always measure after the product is packed, not the product itself.

What is the standard CBM for one pallet?

A standard Euro pallet (1200 Γ— 800 mm) loaded to 1.5 m height equals approximately 1.44 CBM. A standard US pallet (1200 Γ— 1000 mm) at the same height equals 1.8 CBM. Actual volume depends on how high cartons are stacked.

Can I mix different products in one container?

Yes β€” this is common for buyers sourcing multiple product categories from Yiwu. Use the multi-item calculator above to add each product separately. The tool totals all CBM so you can see exactly how much container space your full order will need.

How accurate is the chargeable weight calculation?

The calculator uses the standard sea freight conversion of 167 kg per CBM. Air freight uses a different rate (typically 167 kg per CBM or 6,000 cmΒ³/kg depending on the carrier). Always confirm the exact rate with your freight forwarder before booking.

What if my cartons are different sizes?

Use the multi-item calculator. Add a separate row for each carton type, enter its dimensions and quantity, and the tool sums the total CBM across all items. This is the most accurate method for mixed shipments.

How much does shipping from Yiwu cost per CBM?

Sea freight from Yiwu typically runs $30–$80 per CBM for LCL, depending on destination and season. FCL rates vary by container size and route. Contact our team for a free quote β€” we ship 3,000+ containers per year and negotiate competitive rates.