Cubic feet, cubic meters (CBM) and cubic yards all measure the same thing: how much space a shipment takes up. Enter your pallets, boxes or crates below to get the total volume in all three units, plus cubic inches, how much of a shipping container it fills, and, if you add weight, the freight density that LTL carriers use to set your freight class.
Cubic feet, CBM and cubic yard calculator
Add your pallets, boxes or crates. You get the volume in cubic feet, cubic meters (CBM), cubic yards and cubic inches, and a freight density and class hint if you add weight.
How to calculate cubic feet, CBM and cubic yards
Volume is length times width times height. What changes between units is the unit you measure in and the divisor you use:
| To get | Measure in | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Cubic feet | Inches | length × width × height ÷ 1,728 |
| Cubic feet | Feet | length × width × height |
| Cubic meters (CBM) | Meters | length × width × height |
| Cubic meters (CBM) | Centimeters | length × width × height ÷ 1,000,000 |
| Cubic yards | Feet | length × width × height ÷ 27 |
| Cubic yards | Inches | length × width × height ÷ 46,656 |
Multiply by the number of identical pieces to get the total. The divisors come from the units themselves: a cubic foot is 12 × 12 × 12 = 1,728 cubic inches, and a cubic yard is 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet.
Worked example: a standard pallet
A pallet measuring 48 inches long, 40 inches wide and 48 inches tall (including the pallet itself) works out like this:
- Cubic feet: 48 × 40 × 48 = 92,160 cubic inches ÷ 1,728 = 53.33 cubic feet.
- CBM: 53.33 cubic feet × 0.0283168 = 1.51 CBM.
- Cubic yards: 53.33 ÷ 27 = 1.98 cubic yards.
Measure every piece at its widest, longest and tallest points, including the pallet, any overhang and any bulging. Carriers measure the same way, and the rule is simple: if it sticks out, it counts.
Cubic feet, CBM and cubic yards conversion chart
Use these factors to convert between volume units. The second tab of the calculator does the same conversion for any number you enter.
| Unit | Cubic feet | Cubic yards | Cubic meters (CBM) | Cubic inches | Liters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic foot | 1 | 0.0370 | 0.02832 | 1,728 | 28.32 |
| 1 cubic yard | 27 | 1 | 0.7646 | 46,656 | 764.6 |
| 1 cubic meter (CBM) | 35.31 | 1.308 | 1 | 61,024 | 1,000 |
Quick reference for common sizes:
| Cubic feet | Cubic yards | CBM |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0.37 | 0.28 |
| 50 | 1.85 | 1.42 |
| 100 | 3.70 | 2.83 |
| 500 | 18.52 | 14.16 |
| 1,000 | 37.04 | 28.32 |
For a rough check, 1 CBM is about 35 cubic feet, and 1 cubic yard is a little under 0.8 CBM.
Volume of common pallets, boxes and crates
These examples use typical sizes. Your own pieces will differ, so enter the real dimensions in the calculator above.
| Item | Cubic feet | CBM | Cubic yards | Cubic inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard pallet, 48 × 40 × 48 in | 53.33 | 1.510 | 1.98 | 92,160 |
| Standard pallet, 48 × 40 × 60 in | 66.67 | 1.888 | 2.47 | 115,200 |
| 4 standard pallets, 48 × 40 × 48 in | 213.33 | 6.041 | 7.90 | 368,640 |
| Box, 24 × 18 × 18 in | 4.50 | 0.127 | 0.17 | 7,776 |
| 10 boxes, 24 × 18 × 18 in | 45.00 | 1.274 | 1.67 | 77,760 |
| Crate, 60 × 40 × 40 in | 55.56 | 1.573 | 2.06 | 96,000 |
Did you know?Standard unit conversions and a 48 × 40 in pallet
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35.3 cubic feet in 1 CBM
One cubic meter is bigger than it sounds
A cubic meter (1 m × 1 m × 1 m) holds about 35.3 cubic feet, or 1.31 cubic yards. A standard 48 × 40 × 48 in pallet takes up about 1.5 CBM on its own.
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+25% more volume for 12 more inches
A taller pallet is a bigger pallet
Stack the same 48 × 40 in pallet 60 inches high instead of 48 and the volume goes from 53.3 to 66.7 cubic feet. Carriers measure the packed height, overhang included.
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7.5 lb per cubic foot at 60 in tall
Same 500 lb pallet, different freight class
At 48 inches high a 500 lb pallet is 9.4 lb per cubic foot, around class 100. At 60 inches it drops to 7.5, around class 125, which usually means a higher rate per hundredweight.
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167 kg billed for 1 CBM by air
By air, empty space is billed like cargo
Airlines commonly divide length × width × height in centimeters by 6,000, so a 1 CBM carton counts as about 167 kg even if it weighs 100 kg. Some couriers divide by 5,000.
How volume affects what you pay to ship
Volume matters because a truck, a container and a plane all run out of space before they run out of weight capacity on light freight. Carriers deal with that in different ways:
- LTL freight (domestic trucks): carriers do not charge by cubic feet directly. They divide the shipment’s weight by its cubic feet to get density in pounds per cubic foot, and density sets the NMFC freight class. Lower density means a higher class and a higher rate per pound. Our freight density calculator and freight class calculator take the next step from the volume you find here, and the freight class guide explains the classes.
- Ocean freight (LCL): shipments that do not fill a container are commonly charged per cubic meter or per 1,000 kg, whichever is greater. That is why CBM is the unit freight forwarders ask for first.
- Air freight: airlines charge on volumetric weight when it exceeds actual weight. The common IATA formula is length × width × height in centimeters ÷ 6,000, which treats 1 CBM as about 167 kg. Some couriers use a divisor of 5,000.
- Full truckload and vans: space is sold by the trailer, so what matters is whether your pieces fit by volume, floor space and weight.
Volume is not billable weight
The volume you calculate here is a measurement, not a price. What you are billed depends on the carrier, the service and the rules in its tariff. Use the numbers to describe your shipment accurately, because wrong dimensions are one of the most common reasons a carrier re-weighs and re-measures a shipment and adjusts the bill.
What is CBM in shipping?
CBM stands for cubic meter, the volume of a box measuring 1 meter on each side. It is the standard way to describe cargo volume in international shipping, in supplier quotes and on commercial invoices. To find CBM, multiply length, width and height in meters, or multiply in centimeters and divide by 1,000,000. For many pieces, find the volume of one and multiply by the quantity.
CBM helps you plan container space. The internal volumes below are approximate. Different container makers vary a little, and a real load never fills 100% because of gaps between pieces, pallet shapes and weight limits.
| Container | Approximate internal volume | In cubic feet |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft container | about 33 CBM | about 1,172 cu ft |
| 40 ft container | about 67.7 CBM | about 2,390 cu ft |
| 40 ft high-cube container | about 76.3 CBM | about 2,694 cu ft |
Rule of thumb: add some buffer. If your cargo adds up to 28 CBM, a 20 ft container is tight, and a forwarder may suggest 40 ft or a split shipment. Ask your forwarder for the exact usable volume of the container they will use.
How much space is in a truck or van?
For domestic shipping, compare your total volume with the cargo space of the vehicle. These are typical, approximate interior volumes. Check the exact dimensions of the vehicle you will use:
| Vehicle | Typical cargo space |
|---|---|
| 53 ft dry van trailer | about 4,000 cubic feet |
| 26 ft box truck | about 1,500–1,700 cubic feet |
| Sprinter or cargo van | varies by length and roof height; see our Sprinter van dimensions guide |
Volume alone does not tell you whether freight fits. Pallet footprint, stacking limits, door openings and payload also decide it. For loads that fit in a van, our Sprinter van delivery and cargo van delivery pages show what shippers move.
Tips for accurate measurements
- Measure the packed piece, not the product. Include boxes, crating, shrink wrap and the pallet.
- Use the widest point of each side. A bulging carton or overhanging load counts at its largest measurement.
- Round up, not down. Rounding to the next inch avoids a shortfall that a carrier will correct later.
- Keep units consistent. Do not mix inches and centimeters. The calculator lets you pick one unit for all dimensions.
- Weigh it. If you ship LTL, add the weight so you can see density and the likely freight class.
- Irregular shapes: use the smallest rectangular box the piece fits in. A cylinder or a bag is billed by the box that holds it, not the exact shape.
Cubic feet, CBM and cubic yard calculator: frequently asked questions
How do you calculate cubic feet?
Multiply length by width by height. If you measure in inches, divide the result by 1,728 to get cubic feet. If you measure in feet, there is nothing to divide. For example, 48 × 40 × 48 inches is 92,160 cubic inches, which is 53.33 cubic feet.
How do you convert cubic feet to CBM?
Multiply cubic feet by 0.0283168 to get cubic meters (CBM). For example, 100 cubic feet is about 2.83 CBM. To go the other way, multiply CBM by 35.3147.
How do you convert cubic feet to cubic yards?
Divide cubic feet by 27, because a cubic yard is 3 feet × 3 feet × 3 feet. 100 cubic feet is about 3.7 cubic yards.
How do you calculate CBM?
Multiply length, width and height in meters. If you measured in centimeters, multiply the three numbers and divide by 1,000,000. Multiply by the number of pieces for the total. A 100 × 80 × 60 cm carton is 0.48 CBM.
How many cubic feet are in 1 CBM?
One cubic meter is about 35.31 cubic feet and 1.308 cubic yards.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard?
There are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard.
How many cubic feet is a standard pallet?
A pallet that measures 48 × 40 inches and is stacked 48 inches high is 53.33 cubic feet, or about 1.51 CBM. Height changes the answer, so measure your actual load.
How many CBM fit in a 20 ft or 40 ft container?
A 20 ft container holds about 33 CBM, a 40 ft container about 67.7 CBM and a 40 ft high-cube about 76.3 CBM, as approximate internal volumes. Usable space is lower because of gaps between pieces and weight limits.
Do LTL carriers charge by cubic feet?
Not directly. They use weight and freight class, and density (pounds per cubic foot) is the main factor behind class. Use the density calculator to turn your cubic feet and weight into density and an estimated class. Some carriers also apply special rules to bulky or oversized shipments, so confirm with your carrier.
What is the difference between cubic feet and linear feet in trucking?
Cubic feet measures volume. Linear feet measures how much of the trailer’s length your freight takes up along the floor. Carriers use linear feet for bulky or long freight, and cubic feet to work out density.
Is this calculator accurate for irregular shapes?
It works from rectangular dimensions. For irregular pieces, measure the smallest box that holds the item and use those numbers, which is also how carriers measure.
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