Logistics & shipping
CBM (cubic metre)
A unit of freight volume equal to one cubic metre, used to measure and price cargo, especially LCL shipments.CBM is calculated as length × width × height in metres and is the standard way to express how much space a shipment occupies. Ocean LCL and road freight are often priced per CBM, and CBM is compared against weight to derive the chargeable weight through a volumetric conversion.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you calculate CBM?
- Multiply the length, width and height of the package in metres; for several packages, sum each one's volume.
- How many CBM fit in a container?
- A 20-foot container holds roughly 33 CBM and a 40-foot container about 67 CBM of usable space.