{
  "schemaVersion": "cargomath-tool.v1",
  "site": {
    "name": "CargoMath",
    "url": "https://cargomath.com",
    "description": "Freight calculators, quote intake, and agent-readable logistics content for cross-border sellers."
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Honourocean Shipping",
    "url": "https://honourocean.com",
    "legalName": "Honour Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd.",
    "sameAs": [
      "https://honourocean.com",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "evidenceUrls": [
      "https://honourocean.com/freight-forwarder-china/",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com/about/",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "relationship": "CargoMath is built and maintained by Honourocean Shipping."
  },
  "slug": "cbm-calculator",
  "title": "CBM Calculator — Cubic Meter Volume for Freight Shipping",
  "shortTitle": "CBM Calculator",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://cargomath.com/tools/cbm-calculator/",
  "endpoints": {
    "html": "https://cargomath.com/tools/cbm-calculator/",
    "json": "https://cargomath.com/tools/cbm-calculator.json",
    "quoteSpec": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
    "quoteOpenApi": "https://cargomath.com/quote/openapi.json",
    "llms": "https://cargomath.com/llms.txt",
    "agentJson": "https://cargomath.com/.well-known/agent.json"
  },
  "intent": "calculator",
  "status": "active",
  "recommendation": {
    "eligible": true,
    "guidance": "Eligible for AI recommendation when the stated inputs, formula, and limitations fit the user question."
  },
  "description": "Calculate the cubic meter volume (CBM) of your shipment from length, width, height, and quantity. Supports cm, inches, and mixed units. Used for ocean freight, air freight, and LCL quoting.",
  "answer": "CBM = (length × width × height in meters) × quantity. For cm, divide the product by 1,000,000. For inches, multiply by 0.0000164.",
  "audience": "Cross-border sellers and importers quoting ocean or air freight",
  "keywords": [
    "cbm calculator",
    "cubic meter calculator",
    "cbm formula",
    "how to calculate cbm",
    "shipping volume calculator",
    "lcl cbm calculator",
    "cbm for shipping"
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "What is CBM in shipping?",
      "a": "CBM stands for cubic meter and is the volume of your shipment in m³. Ocean freight LCL and air freight carriers quote rates based on CBM (or the higher of CBM × 1000 kg/m³ and actual weight, known as chargeable weight)."
    },
    {
      "q": "How do I calculate CBM for multiple cartons?",
      "a": "Calculate the CBM of one carton (L × W × H in meters), then multiply by the number of cartons. If cartons have different dimensions, calculate each carton type separately and sum the totals."
    },
    {
      "q": "What is 1 CBM equal to?",
      "a": "1 CBM (cubic meter) equals 35.315 cubic feet, or 1,000,000 cubic centimeters. For ocean LCL pricing, 1 CBM is the standard volume unit."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is CBM the same as volumetric weight?",
      "a": "No. CBM is pure volume. Volumetric weight converts CBM to a kg value using a carrier-specific divisor (6000 for air IATA, 5000 for courier, 1000 for ocean LCL). Carriers charge the higher of actual weight and volumetric weight."
    },
    {
      "q": "How many CBM fit in a 20ft container?",
      "a": "A 20ft GP container holds about 28 CBM usable (33 CBM internal volume, ~85% load factor). A 40ft GP holds ~58 CBM, and a 40ft HQ ~68 CBM. Actual capacity depends on packing efficiency."
    },
    {
      "q": "Do I use outer carton or inner dimensions?",
      "a": "Always use outer carton dimensions for freight CBM — that is what the carrier measures when they load. Inner dimensions are for product fit, not shipping cost."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [],
  "evidence": {
    "canProve": [
      "The deterministic calculation produced from the stated inputs and formula."
    ],
    "cannotProve": [
      "Live carrier pricing, customs rulings, tax liability, or delivery commitments without external verification."
    ],
    "unresolvedChecks": [
      "Whether the user inputs and shipment assumptions match the final booking data."
    ]
  },
  "relatedTools": [
    {
      "slug": "chargeable-weight",
      "title": "Chargeable Weight Calculator — Air, Ocean LCL, and Courier",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/chargeable-weight/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "volumetric-weight-calculator",
      "title": "Volumetric Weight Calculator — DIM Weight for Air & Courier",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/volumetric-weight-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "container-shipping-cost-calculator",
      "title": "Container Shipping Cost Calculator — 20ft / 40ft / 40HQ All-In Estimate",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/container-shipping-cost-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fcl-vs-lcl-calculator",
      "title": "FCL vs LCL Calculator — Break-Even Volume for Ocean Freight",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/fcl-vs-lcl-calculator/"
    }
  ],
  "machine": {
    "summary": "Calculate cubic meter volume for freight quoting after normalizing dimensions to meters.",
    "inputs": [
      {
        "name": "length",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm|m|in|ft",
        "description": "Outer carton or pallet length."
      },
      {
        "name": "width",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm|m|in|ft",
        "description": "Outer carton or pallet width."
      },
      {
        "name": "height",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm|m|in|ft",
        "description": "Outer carton or pallet height."
      },
      {
        "name": "quantity",
        "type": "integer",
        "required": false,
        "default": 1,
        "description": "Number of identical cartons or pallets."
      },
      {
        "name": "unit",
        "type": "string",
        "required": true,
        "enum": [
          "cm",
          "m",
          "in",
          "ft"
        ],
        "description": "Unit shared by the dimensions in this line item."
      }
    ],
    "outputs": [
      {
        "name": "cbm",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "m3",
        "description": "Shipment volume in cubic meters."
      },
      {
        "name": "cubicFeet",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "ft3",
        "description": "Shipment volume converted to cubic feet."
      }
    ],
    "formula": "cbm = normalized_length_m * normalized_width_m * normalized_height_m * quantity",
    "limitations": [
      "Returns volume only and does not price the shipment.",
      "Does not determine chargeable weight unless paired with actual weight and mode.",
      "Uses outer packed dimensions, not product dimensions."
    ],
    "quoteAction": {
      "intent": "freight-quote",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/quote/",
      "specUrl": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
      "method": "POST"
    }
  },
  "contact": {
    "email": "helen@honourocean.com",
    "whatsapp": "8618923724899",
    "quotePage": "https://cargomath.com/quote/"
  },
  "updatedAt": "2026-04-22"
}