How To Calculate Cubic Meters (CBM) When Shipping

If you want to know measurements of an object in cubic meters, it's possible you may want to know how much space is needed to store such an object. For example, if you want to know how tall a container is, how tall the height of a building is, or even the height of a truck. Cubic meters are volume measurements that are calculated multiplying the height by length by width and each dimension can be different. The same volume in cubic meters can have a varied height, depending on its length and width.

You know the goods carried by the vessel in the container. The containers are 20 feet, 40 feet, and 40 feet high cube. There is a space in the container which is called CBM (Cubic Meter). So the unit of containers is CBM. The key thing for booking is what would be the approximate CBM of your consignment. The formula of calculating CMB as below:

                          Cartoon Measurement in cm x total cartoon quantity / 1000000  

For example, the cartoon measurement is L60 x W40 xH30 CM and total carton quantity 360,

So, CBM is = 60 x 40 x 30 CM x 360 Cartons/1000000

                    = 25.92 about 26 CBM

Loadability of ocean containers:

20ft container approximately 26-28 CBM

40ft container approximately 55-58 CBM

40ft HQ container approximately 60-68 CBM

45ft HQ container approximately 78 CBM

Please note that this calculator is intended only as a quick guide. In practice, actual loading will depend on accurate calculations based on how the items are loaded in the container and whether the dimensions of the cartons leave unusable space. Load factors will vary based on carton size and how they are stowed inside the containers.