Pick a calculator by what you are trying to do. Volume & CBM turns dimensions into cubic metres or feet. Freight Pricing gives you the chargeable weight and cost figures a forwarder bills on. Container & Load Planning tells you how cargo fits a box. OOG & Special Cargo handles cargo that breaks standard container limits. New to the terminology? Start with what CBM means, then come back here — or browse all explainers in the shipping guides hub.
Volume & CBM Calculators
CBM Calculator
The core tool. Enter length × width × height for any number of carton types and get total CBM, container fit (20GP/40GP/40HC), and volumetric weight for sea and air — in one step.
Cubic Feet Calculator
Get volume in ft³ alongside CBM and volumetric weight. Use when US warehouses or truckers quote in cubic feet rather than CBM.
Cubic Inch Calculator
Volume in cubic inches for small parcels, packaging specs, and dimensional weight for express couriers.
CBM in Centimetres Calculator
Enter dimensions directly in centimetres — no unit conversion needed. Outputs CBM, CFT and volumetric weight.
CBM in Inches Calculator
Enter dimensions in inches and get CBM and volumetric weight. Useful for US-sourced cargo measured in imperial.
CBM to KG Converter
Convert between CBM and kg using sea (÷1,000) and air (÷6,000) volumetric divisors. Quickly check whether volume or weight basis is higher.
CBM for Air Shipment
Air-specific CBM calculator: applies the IATA ÷6,000 divisor to give volumetric weight and confirm chargeable weight for air freight.
Shipping Unit Converter
Convert between cm, mm, inches, feet, kg, lbs, CBM and cubic feet. Eliminate manual conversion errors when working with mixed-unit cargo specs.
Freight Pricing Calculators
Chargeable Weight Calculator
Enter dimensions and actual weight — see whether volumetric or actual weight is higher for air, sea LCL, courier, and EU road freight. The freight cost you will actually be billed on.
Air Freight Calculator
Estimate total air freight cost from chargeable weight and a per-kg rate. Supports IATA ÷6,000 and courier ÷5,000 divisors.
Landed Cost Calculator
Full delivered cost: freight + customs duty + import tax + cargo insurance + local handling. Know your true cost before you order.
Cargo Insurance Calculator
Estimate marine cargo insurance premium as a percentage of CIF value. Supports All Risk and Total Loss Only cover types.
Freight Class Calculator
Calculate NMFC freight class from cargo density for US LTL shipments. Includes the full 2026 NMFC 13-tier density table.
LCL vs FCL Calculator
Compare the cost of consolidation (LCL) vs booking a full container (FCL) for your shipment volume. Shows the exact CBM break-even point.
LCL Freight Cost Calculator
Estimate less-than-container-load (LCL) sea freight cost from CBM, with W/M (weight-or-measure) basis comparison.
Demurrage & Detention Calculator
Estimate container demurrage (at the port) and detention (at your yard) charges from free days, days held and tiered carrier daily rates — per container and total, with a day-by-day breakdown.
Container & Load Planning
Container Load Calculator
Enter one carton size and quantity — see how many fit in a 20GP, 40GP, or 40HC, with fill percentage and weight check.
Container Mix Calculator
Multiple SKUs, one shipment. Find the best 20ft / 40ft / 40HC combination, with per-SKU allocation and total utilisation.
3D Cargo Planner
Visualise how your cargo loads into a container in 3D. Rotate, inspect, and export the load plan as PDF or CSV for your client or shipping line.
Pallet Calculator
How many pallets fit in a container? Supports EUR (1200×800mm), UK (1200×1000mm) and US (48×40in) pallets, single and double layer.
FCL Equal Distribution Calculator
Distribute cargo evenly across multiple containers by quantity, CBM or weight. Useful for splitting one order across two FCL boxes.
Out-of-Gauge (OOG) & Special Cargo
OOG Cargo Calculator
Enter cargo dimensions and compare against flat rack, open top, and platform container specs to determine whether cargo is OOG and by how much.
OOG Surcharge Calculator
Estimate out-of-gauge surcharges based on over-height, over-width, and overhang — by carrier tier and trade lane type.
Open Top Container Calculator
Over-height calculation and tarpaulin size estimate for 20ft and 40ft open top containers.
Flat Rack Calculator
OOG dimension check, tarpaulin coverage, and lashing requirement for 20ft and 40ft flat rack containers.
Platform Container Calculator
Heavy-lift OOG sizing for 20ft and 40ft platform (bolster) containers. Supports collapsible end-wall variants.
Cargo Lashing Calculator
Calculate minimum lashing strength (MSL) and number of lashing points required to secure OOG or heavy cargo. Compliant with IMO/CTU Code requirements.
OOG Container Dimensions Reference
Internal specifications for open top, flat rack, and platform containers — 20ft and 40ft variants, with tare weights and payload limits.
Road & Trucking Calculators
Which Freight Calculator Do You Need?
The right starting point depends on what you are trying to price or plan:
| Your goal | Start here | Then use |
|---|---|---|
| Quote a sea freight shipment | CBM Calculator | LCL vs FCL → Landed Cost |
| Quote an air freight shipment | Chargeable Weight | Air Freight Cost → Cargo Insurance |
| Plan a full container (FCL) | Container Load | 3D Planner → Pallet Count |
| Quote OOG or break-bulk cargo | OOG Calculator | Flat Rack → OOG Surcharge |
| Price US LTL freight | Freight Class | Chargeable Weight |
| Calculate total import cost | Landed Cost | Cargo Insurance → CBM |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the CBM Calculator to get your cargo volume in cubic metres. Then use the Chargeable Weight Calculator to find the billable weight for air or sea freight. If you are booking a full container, run the Container Load Calculator to see how many cartons fit. For US domestic LTL freight, use the Freight Class Calculator.
Yes. All 27 calculators on CalculateCBM are completely free to use with no sign-up or account required. They run entirely in your browser — no data is sent to a server.
CBM (cubic metre) measures the physical volume of your cargo. Chargeable weight is the billing unit carriers use — it is the higher of actual gross weight or volumetric weight (CBM × divisor). For sea LCL freight, the divisor is 1,000. For air freight, it is 6,000. Use the Chargeable Weight Calculator to compare both in one step.
The general break-even is 15–20 CBM. Below 15 CBM, LCL (consolidation) is usually cheaper. Above 20 CBM, booking a full 20ft container (FCL) is typically more cost-effective. Use the LCL vs FCL Calculator to compare your specific shipment volumes and rates.
Yes. The Freight Class Calculator on CalculateCBM determines your NMFC freight class from cargo density (weight ÷ cubic feet). It includes the full 2026 NMFC 13-tier table. Freight class applies to US LTL shipments only — it has no equivalent in international sea or air freight.
OOG (Out of Gauge) cargo exceeds the internal dimensions of a standard ISO container — too long, too wide, too tall, or too heavy. OOG cargo requires special equipment: flat rack, open top, or platform containers. Use the OOG Cargo Calculator to check whether your cargo is out of gauge and by how much.