Free online tool
Shipping Calculator for CBM & Volumetric Weight
Enter your box dimensions and quantity to calculate CBM or volumetric weight for your shipment. Choose your mode of transport to get the right calculation for air, sea, or road freight.
Overview
What Is a Shipping Calculator?
A shipping calculator, also known as a freight calculator, helps you work out two important numbers before you send a shipment: CBM (cubic meters) and volumetric weight. Both are used to measure how much space your shipment takes up, which affects how it's billed by carriers.
Instead of doing the math by hand, this freight calculator lets you enter your box dimensions, quantity, and weight, and get an instant result. It's built for anyone shipping cargo by air, sea, or road who needs a quick way to check volume or weight before booking a shipment.
Tools
CBM & Volumetric Weight Tools
Use the calculator above for both volume and dimensional weight, depending on how your cargo moves.
CBM Calculator
CBM stands for cubic meter, a measurement used to calculate how much space a shipment occupies. This matters most for sea freight and road freight, where cargo is often charged based on volume rather than weight.
To calculate CBM, enter the quantity of box items along with the length, width, and height of each box in centimeters. The calculator multiplies these dimensions and converts the result into cubic meters.
Knowing your CBM helps you estimate space requirements before shipping, whether you're filling part of a container or planning a full load.
Formula used: CBM = (Length × Width × Height) ÷ 1,000,000 × Quantity
Volumetric Weight Calculator
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) is a way of calculating shipping cost based on the space a package takes up, not just its actual weight. This is especially relevant for air freight, where carriers often charge based on whichever is greater: actual weight or volumetric weight.
To calculate volumetric weight, select your mode of transport, then enter the quantity of box items, total weight in kilograms, and the dimensions of each box. Since the calculation differs slightly depending on how the shipment travels, choosing the correct mode of transport is an important step.
This calculation gives you a clearer picture of what you'll likely be charged, especially for lightweight but bulky shipments.
CBM vs Volumetric Weight: What's the Difference?
These two terms are often confused, but they serve different purposes.
CBM measures the total volume of your shipment in cubic meters. It's commonly used for sea and road freight, where space in a container or truck is the main pricing factor.
Volumetric weight converts that volume into a weight equivalent figure, mainly used for air freight, where carriers compare it against actual weight to decide the chargeable weight.
If you're shipping by air, volumetric weight is usually more relevant. If you're shipping by sea or road, CBM often matters more.
Steps
How to Use the Shipping Calculator
Choose Calculation Type
Select CBM or Volumetric Weight depending on what you need.
Select Mode of Transport
Required for volumetric weight calculations (air, sea, or road).
Enter Box Details
Add quantity, dimensions in centimeters, and total weight when needed.
Click Calculate
Your CBM or volumetric weight result appears instantly.
Reset When Needed
Use Reset if you want to start over with new numbers.
No sign-up or account is needed to use this freight calculator.
Benefits
Why Use This Shipping Calculator?
Two calculators in one place. Switch between CBM and volumetric weight without needing separate tools.
Works across transport modes. Select air, sea, or road to get a calculation suited to your shipment type.
Simple, straightforward inputs. Just enter quantity, dimensions, and weight, no complicated setup.
Instant results. See your CBM or volumetric weight as soon as you calculate.
Useful before booking a shipment. Helps you estimate space or chargeable weight ahead of time.
Calculate CBM or Volumetric Weight
Ready to check your shipment size? Use the calculator above to get your CBM or volumetric weight in seconds, with no account required.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBM in shipping?
CBM stands for cubic meter and measures the volume a shipment takes up. It's calculated by multiplying a box's length, width, and height, then converting the result into cubic meters. CBM is commonly used for sea and road freight pricing.
What is volumetric weight?
Volumetric weight is a calculated weight based on a package's dimensions rather than its actual weight. Carriers, especially for air freight, often charge based on whichever is higher: actual weight or volumetric weight.
How do I calculate CBM for my shipment?
Enter the quantity of boxes along with their length, width, and height in centimeters into the CBM calculator. It will multiply these values and convert the result into cubic meters automatically.
How do I calculate volumetric weight?
Select your mode of transport, then enter the quantity of boxes, total weight, and dimensions. The calculator uses these details to work out the volumetric weight for your shipment.
What's the difference between CBM and volumetric weight?
CBM measures total shipment volume in cubic meters and is mainly used for sea and road freight. Volumetric weight converts that volume into a weight figure and is mainly used for air freight pricing.
Do I need to know my mode of transport to use this calculator?
For the volumetric weight calculation, yes. Different transport modes may use different volumetric weight formulas, so selecting the correct mode helps produce an accurate result. CBM calculations don't require this selection.
Is this shipping calculator free to use?
Yes. You can calculate CBM or volumetric weight without creating an account or paying for access.
Why did I get a result of 0?
This usually means one or more required fields, like quantity, dimensions, or weight, were left empty or entered incorrectly. Double check your entries and click Calculate again.
