CBM Calculator
Calculate total shipment volume (CBM) and volumetric weight for sea and air freight.
Total CBM
8 m³
- CBM per box
- 0.08 m³
- Sea volumetric weight
- 8,000 kg
- Air volumetric weight
- 1,333.3 kg
How this is calculated
CBM per box is length × width × height in centimeters, divided by 1,000,000 to convert to cubic meters. Total CBM multiplies that by the number of boxes. Volumetric weight applies the standard sea (CBM × 1000) and air (dimensions ÷ 6000) conversions.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between sea and air volumetric weight?
Sea freight (LCL) typically bills 1 CBM as equivalent to 1000 kg. Air freight uses a much lower divisor (commonly 6000 cm³ per kg), because air cargo space is priced far more by weight-equivalent volume — so the same box produces a much higher volumetric weight for air than for sea.
Which weight does my carrier actually charge?
Carriers charge whichever is higher: the actual weight or the volumetric weight. Light, bulky items are usually billed on volumetric weight; dense, heavy items are usually billed on actual weight.
Why does my courier quote a different weight than this?
The 6000 divisor here is the IATA standard for air cargo. Express couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) typically use a smaller divisor of 5000, and road freight commonly uses 3000 — both make the same box work out heavier, and so more expensive, than the air-cargo figure this tool calculates. Use your courier's or road freight forwarder's own quote for those specific services rather than this figure.