What Is CBM?
CBM means cubic metre, or cubic meter, and describes the three-dimensional volume of cargo. It is commonly used for cartons, pallets, containers and other freight when comparing shipment volume with available capacity.
For a rectangular item, convert each dimension to metres and multiply length by width by height. Multiply the result by quantity for the total cargo volume.
When Is CBM Used?
CBM helps planners estimate how much volume a shipment needs before selecting equipment or requesting a freight quote. It is useful for bulky, stackable or volume-sensitive cargo, but it does not replace a physical load plan.
CBM = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m) × Quantity