Enter your carton dimensions and quantity to calculate total cubic meters (CBM), see how many cartons fit in a container, and get an LCL vs FCL recommendation. Also calculates air freight volumetric weight.
Calculate cubic meters, container fit, and LCL vs FCL break-even for ocean freight
CBM (Cubic Meter) is the standard unit of measurement for ocean freight volume. Freight forwarders use CBM to price LCL shipments and determine how many cartons fit in a container. One CBM = 1m × 1m × 1m.
LCL (Less than Container Load) consolidates your cargo with other shippers in one container. FCL (Full Container Load) books the entire container. FCL is typically cheaper per CBM above ~15–28 CBM depending on trade lane.
Air freight carriers charge based on the higher of actual weight vs volumetric weight. The IATA standard divisor is 6,000 cm³/kg — a 1 CBM shipment has a volumetric weight of 167 kg, regardless of actual weight.
Containers are rarely 100% full. Our calculator uses 85% volumetric efficiency to reflect real-world carton stacking — irregular shapes, dunnage, and bracing all reduce usable space from the theoretical maximum.
| Type | External Dimensions | Internal Dimensions | Volume | Max Payload | TEU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20' GP | 6.1m × 2.44m × 2.59m | 5.9m × 2.35m × 2.39m | 33.2 m³ | 28,000 kg | 1 TEU |
| 40' GP | 12.2m × 2.44m × 2.59m | 12.0m × 2.35m × 2.39m | 67.7 m³ | 28,500 kg | 2 TEU |
| 40' HC | 12.2m × 2.44m × 2.90m | 12.0m × 2.35m × 2.69m | 76.3 m³ | 28,500 kg | 2 TEU |
| 45' HC | 13.7m × 2.44m × 2.90m | 13.6m × 2.35m × 2.70m | 86.0 m³ | 29,000 kg | 2.25 TEU |
Once you know your container load, use our Duty & Tariff Calculator to estimate your total US import duty exposure — including base MFN rates, Section 301 China tariffs, and Section 232 steel/aluminum duties.
Open Duty & Tariff Calculator →Common questions about CBM, containers, and ocean freight
CBM stands for cubic meter, the standard unit of measurement for ocean freight volume. To calculate CBM: multiply Length × Width × Height in meters (e.g., 1.2m × 0.8m × 0.9m = 0.864 CBM per carton). For multiple cartons, multiply by quantity. Most ocean carriers and freight forwarders price LCL shipments by CBM or weight (whichever yields higher revenue).
LCL (Less-than-Container-Load) is typically more economical for shipments under 15 CBM. FCL (Full Container Load) becomes economical at 15–25 CBM depending on trade lane and current market rates. At 25+ CBM, a full 20-foot container (33.2 CBM capacity) is almost always cheaper than LCL. FCL also offers faster transit times and lower damage risk.
A standard 20-foot GP (General Purpose) container has an internal volume of 33.2 CBM and a maximum payload of 21,727 kg (47,900 lbs). Its internal dimensions are approximately 589 cm (L) × 235 cm (W) × 239 cm (H). Weight limits are often the binding constraint for dense cargo; volume is the constraint for light cargo.
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) in air freight is calculated as: (Length cm × Width cm × Height cm) ÷ 6,000 = volumetric weight in kg. Air carriers charge whichever is higher — actual weight or volumetric weight. This is why light, bulky goods like apparel and foam products are expensive to air freight.
As of 2026, LCL ocean freight rates on major US trade lanes range from $65–$85 per CBM for base ocean freight. Additional charges include origin handling, destination handling, customs entry, and last-mile delivery — which can add $150–$400 to the total cost regardless of shipment size. For very small shipments (under 2 CBM), the minimum charges often make LCL uneconomical compared to express courier services.
Our partner network includes U.S. Customs Bonded warehouses, climate-controlled facilities, and full-service 3PLs across the Southeast.