Free Tool
CBM Calculator
Calculate your shipment's volume in cubic meters, compare actual vs. volumetric weight, and see how much of a container you fill — before you ask for a quote.
Container fill estimate
Estimates are indicative. Usable container capacities are practical figures — actual stowage depends on carton sizes, palletization and cargo type. Air volumetric divisor 6000 (IATA standard); express couriers commonly use 5000.
Guide
What is CBM and how is it calculated?
CBM (cubic meter) is the standard unit of volume in international freight. One CBM equals a space of 1m × 1m × 1m. For each package: Length × Width × Height (in meters) × Quantity. Sea LCL shipments are priced primarily by CBM, while air freight compares your actual weight against the volumetric weight and charges the higher of the two — the chargeable weight.
Air volumetric weight uses the IATA divisor: (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 6000 per piece — equivalent to 167 kg per CBM. Express couriers usually divide by 5000 (200 kg per CBM). In sea LCL, the common "weight or measure" (W/M) rule bills on whichever is greater: tons or CBM.
Practical container capacities
| Container | Internal volume | Practical usable | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft (20GP) | ≈ 33 CBM | ≈ 26–28 CBM | ≈ 28,000 kg |
| 40ft (40GP) | ≈ 67 CBM | ≈ 55–58 CBM | ≈ 26,500 kg |
| 40ft High Cube | ≈ 76 CBM | ≈ 65–68 CBM | ≈ 26,500 kg |
FAQ
Common questions
How do I calculate CBM for my shipment?
Multiply each package's length × width × height in meters, then multiply by the number of identical packages, and add the package types together. Our calculator above does this instantly and also converts from centimeters.
What is the difference between actual and volumetric weight?
Actual weight is what the scale shows. Volumetric weight converts the space your cargo occupies into kilograms (÷6000 for air freight). Airlines charge whichever is higher, so light-but-bulky cargo is billed by volume.
How many CBM fit in a 20ft or 40ft container?
A 20ft container holds about 33 CBM in theory and 26–28 CBM in practice; a 40ft holds about 67 CBM (55–58 practical) and a 40HQ about 76 CBM (65–68 practical), depending on carton dimensions and palletization.
When is LCL better than a full container?
As a rule of thumb, LCL suits shipments up to roughly 12–15 CBM. Above that, a 20ft container often becomes the smarter choice for cost and handling — send us your numbers and we will advise on the best setup.
Got your numbers? Let's price your shipment.
Send us the CBM and weight from the calculator and our team will come back with the best routing from any origin to Jordan.