CBM & Container Load Estimator
Enter your carton size and quantity. Get the total CBM instantly — and see whether a 20GP, 40GP, or 40HQ is the right container for your shipment.
Your shipment
How it works — the methodology
CBM (cubic meter) is the language of freight. Forwarders price LCL shipments per CBM, and container choice starts with total volume:
total CBM = CBM per carton × number of cartons
The estimator then matches your total against practical container capacities:
These are loadable capacities, not the container's internal volume — cartons never pack perfectly, so the numbers already allow for realistic gaps and stacking limits. The tool picks the smallest container your cargo fits in and shows what percentage of it you use.
Two practical rules I use with buyers:
- Under ~15 CBM, price LCL too. A half-empty 20GP is often more expensive than sharing a container. Always get both quotes.
- Volume is only half the story. Dense products (metal parts, stone, liquids) can hit the container's weight limit before the volume limit. This tool covers volume — confirm gross weight with your forwarder.
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Hire JaykmFrequently asked questions
What is CBM in shipping?
CBM stands for cubic meter. It is the volume of your cargo, calculated as length × width × height. Freight forwarders use CBM to quote LCL shipments and to plan container loads.
How much CBM fits in a 20GP, 40GP, and 40HQ container?
As a practical rule of thumb: a 20GP holds about 28 CBM, a 40GP about 58 CBM, and a 40HQ about 68 CBM of loaded cargo. Real capacity is lower than the container's internal volume because cartons never pack perfectly.
Should I use carton dimensions or product dimensions?
Always use the outer carton dimensions — that is what actually travels. Ask your supplier for the packed carton size, not the product size.
My CBM is small. Should I still book a full container?
Usually not. Below roughly 15 CBM, LCL (less-than-container load) is normally cheaper than paying for a half-empty 20GP. Get quotes for both and compare.
Why does the estimator recommend a bigger container than the raw math suggests?
Cartons do not fill a container perfectly — there are gaps, pallet space, and stacking limits. The reference capacities used here already allow for realistic loading losses.
Is weight also a limit?
Yes. Containers have maximum payload weights (around 28 tons for a 20GP). Heavy, dense products can hit the weight limit before the volume limit. This estimator covers volume only — confirm weight with your forwarder.