CBM, or cubic meter, is a volume measurement used in shipping and logistics to calculate how much space cargo occupies. One CBM equals one meter long by one meter wide by one meter high. Freight forwarders, carriers, and warehouses use CBM to price LCL shipments, plan container loading, compare cargo volume, and estimate storage or transport capacity. CBM is especially important for lightweight but bulky goods because space, not just weight, affects shipping cost.
CBM (Cubic Meter) is the standard volume unit in ocean and air freight. One CBM equals 1 meter x 1 meter x 1 meter. LCL ocean freight is priced per CBM, making accurate volume measurement essential.
How to Calculate CBM
- Formula: Length (m) x Width (m) x Height (m) per piece
- Total CBM = sum of all pieces
- Use actual packed dimensions, not bare product dimensions
- Account for pallet height and outer packaging
Air freight converts CBM to volumetric weight at 1 CBM equals 167 kg.
For related logistics context, see glossary entries on LCL, Dimensional Weight, Volumetric Weight, and Chargeable Weight.
