CBM Calculator and 3D Container Load Planner
Enter your cartons or pallets and watch them load into a container in 3D. You get the total volume in cubic metres (CBM) and the weight, and you see whether your cargo fits a 20ft, a 40ft or a 40ft high cube - or whether sharing a container costs less.
- Enter your cargoSizes, quantity and weight - or tap a quick add button.
- Watch it loadYour pieces load into the container in 3D as you type.
- Get your answerSee which container you need, or whether sharing one costs less.
Your cargo
We've filled in an example: 120 large cartons. Tap a quick add button or change the numbers to plan your own cargo.
Item 1
11.52 m³
Our suggestion
Share a container (LCL)
Your cargo would fill only about 35% of a 20ft container, so sharing one usually costs less. You pay only for your share: about 11.52 m³ or tonnes, whichever is more. We can price both.
- Total volume
- 11.52 m³
- Total weight
- 1,800 kg
- Pieces
- 120
Compare container sizes
Loading the 3D view…
- Boxes 60×40×40 cm120 of 120
20ft container inside: 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m, 33.1 m³, up to 28,200 kg.All container sizes
This is a planning estimate. Every piece stays upright, pallets all face the same way and your stacking choices are followed. Real loading also depends on packaging strength, weight spread and how the goods are secured, so our team checks each plan before booking.
CBM questions
What does CBM mean?
CBM stands for cubic metre (m³), the unit freight forwarders use for volume. One CBM is a space 1 m long, 1 m wide and 1 m high. Sea freight, and shared containers in particular, is priced by it.
How do I calculate CBM?
Multiply length × width × height in centimetres, divide by 1,000,000, then multiply by the number of pieces. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton is 0.096 m³, so 100 of them make 9.6 m³.
How much fits in a 20ft or a 40ft container?
Inside, a 20ft container holds about 33 m³, a 40ft about 67 m³ and a 40ft high cube about 76 m³. Boxes never fill every gap, so plan on roughly 25 to 28 m³, 55 to 60 m³ and 65 to 68 m³. Heavy goods can reach the weight limit before the space runs out.
When is a shared container (LCL) cheaper than a full one (FCL)?
Usually below about 13 to 15 m³. With LCL you pay for your share of the space, charged per m³ or per tonne, whichever is greater (W/M). Above that, a full container usually costs less, and your goods aren't handled alongside anyone else's.
How accurate is the 3D load plan?
It's a good guide, not a final stuffing plan. It keeps every piece upright, loads all pallets facing the same way, follows your stacking choices and packs tightly. Loaders also need room for straps and the door frame, so treat a plan above about 90% full as tight. Our team checks the plan before we book.
Not sure which container you need?
Send us your packing list and we'll plan the load and price it.