Free tools / CBM & chargeable weight calculator
Work out shipment volume in cubic meters, how much of a container it fills, and the chargeable weight for air freight.
| Container | Capacity | Typical loadable |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft container | 33.2 m³ | ~28 m³ |
| 40 ft container | 67.7 m³ | ~58 m³ |
| 40 ft high cube | 76.3 m³ | ~68 m³ |
Figures are typical; exact capacity varies by carrier and container. Weight limits (payload) can be reached before volume with heavy goods.
Multiply length × width × height in meters for one carton, then multiply by the number of cartons. For example, 0.6 m × 0.4 m × 0.4 m = 0.096 CBM per carton; 100 cartons = 9.6 CBM.
A 20 ft container has about 33 m³ of space and a 40 ft about 67 m³, but in practice you load roughly 25–28 m³ and 55–58 m³ of cartons. A 40 ft high cube adds about 10% more height.
Airlines charge the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is usually length × width × height in cm ÷ 6,000 (kg). Light, bulky cargo is charged by volume.
As a rule of thumb, below about 13–15 CBM, sharing a container (LCL) is usually cheaper. Above that, a full 20 ft container often costs about the same and is faster with less handling.
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Estimates only — not customs, tax or tariff advice. Confirm with your carrier, customs broker or CBP.
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