CBM & Container Load Calculator

Cubic metres, cartons in a container, pallets and freight — with your own sizes and your own rates.

Result
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    How it works

    The method

    CBM = length × width × height (in metres) × cartons. For how many fit, each side of the space is divided by a side of the carton and the whole number kept, trying every way the carton can be turned and two blocks turned two ways on the floor.

    Worked example

    A 20 ft box of 5898 × 2352 × 2393 mm and 500 × 400 × 300 mm cartons: across the width, 2 rows of 400 (11 each) and 3 rows of 500 (14 each) = 64 a layer; 2393 ÷ 300 = 7 layers; 64 × 7 = 448 cartons, 26.88 m³.

    Common mistakes

    Sizes measured outside the carton, not inside. Forgetting the pallet's own height. Counting by volume alone: cartons seldom fill every gap, so 33 m³ of cartons does not always go into a container whose inside is 33 m³.

    Questions & answers

    How do I work out CBM?

    Multiply length × width × height in metres, then by the number of cartons. 50 × 40 × 30 cm = 0.5 × 0.4 × 0.3 = 0.06 m³; 100 cartons = 6 m³. From centimetres you can also divide length × width × height by 1,000,000.

    How many cartons fit in a 20 ft container?

    It depends on the carton. 50 × 40 × 30 cm cartons in a 20 ft box of 5898 × 2352 × 2393 mm: 64 on the floor (two blocks turned two ways) and 7 layers = 448. The Cartons in a container tab counts yours and draws the floor.

    What is volume weight (chargeable weight)?

    Air and courier freight charge the bigger of the real weight and length × width × height in cm ÷ a divisor: 6000 for most air freight, 5000 for most couriers. Ask your carrier which one it uses.

    What is W/M in sea freight?

    Weight or measure: LCL sea freight charges each CBM or each 1000 kg, whichever is more. 6 m³ weighing 1250 kg is charged as 6 W/M; 2 m³ weighing 3500 kg as 3.5 W/M.

    Are container sizes and freight rates built in?

    Usual inside sizes of containers are filled in as a start and can be changed, because they differ a little between makers. No freight rate is built in: you type the rates you are quoted.

    Does this page send my numbers anywhere?

    No. Everything is calculated on your device.

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