Guide · Cargo Preparation
How to Calculate CBM for Sea Freight: A Guide for UAE Businesses
CBM — cubic metres — is the volume measurement used to describe sea freight cargo. Getting it right helps your quotation reflect the shipment you actually have. This guide shows how to measure cartons and pallets, works through clearly hypothetical examples, and lists the other details to send alongside volume.
What CBM means
One CBM is one cubic metre: a space 1 m long, 1 m wide and 1 m high. For sea freight, CBM describes how much space your packed cargo takes up.
The formula is simple:
CBM = length (m) × width (m) × height (m)
Always use the packed external dimensions — the outside of the carton, crate or loaded pallet — not the size of the product inside.
Working in centimetres
Most cartons are measured in centimetres. Either convert each side to metres first (60 cm = 0.6 m), or multiply the three centimetre measurements and divide by 1,000,000:
CBM = (L cm × W cm × H cm) ÷ 1,000,000
Round only at the end, so small rounding errors do not add up across many cartons.
Worked examples
All of these examples are hypothetical, chosen to show the method clearly.
| Example | Measurements | Calculation | Total CBM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identical cartons | 10 cartons, each 60 × 40 × 50 cm | 60 × 40 × 50 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.12 m³; 0.12 × 10 | 1.2 m³ |
| Mixed carton sizes | 5 cartons 60 × 40 × 50 cm, plus 4 cartons 50 × 40 × 40 cm | 5 × 0.12 = 0.6 m³; 4 × 0.08 = 0.32 m³; 0.6 + 0.32 | 0.92 m³ |
| Packed pallet | 1 pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm including the base | 120 × 100 × 150 ÷ 1,000,000 | 1.8 m³ |
| Small load | 1 carton, 60 × 40 × 50 cm | 60 × 40 × 50 ÷ 1,000,000 | 0.12 m³ |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
Do not double-count pallets
Why CBM is not the whole picture
Volume tells us how much space the cargo occupies. It does not tell us how heavy it is, whether it can be stacked or how it must be handled. Two shipments with the same CBM can need very different arrangements.
The measured volume and the basis used to charge a shipment are also not always the same. Your quotation confirms the charging basis for your cargo and service.
Measurements to send with your quotation request
- Number of packages, and how many of each size
- Packed length, width and height of each package size
- Gross weight of each package, or the total gross weight
- Packing type — carton, crate or pallet — and whether pallets include their base in the height
- Whether packages can be stacked
- Goods description, including any batteries or powder materials
- Supplier location and UAE delivery address
With these details, Mizan can assess options such as LCL shipping — see LCL vs FCL for how to choose. Small loads are welcome too: read about small shipments from China, or request a quote.
FAQs
CBM FAQs
- Measure the packed carton or pallet — the outside dimensions including all packing. That is the space the cargo takes up in transport.
- Group identical cartons, calculate the CBM of one carton in each group, multiply by the number of cartons in that group, then add the group totals together.
- No. Volume is one input. Gross weight, package count, stackability, packing type, goods description, locations and the stages you need also affect the quotation. The basis used to charge a shipment is confirmed in the quote and is not always the measured volume.
- Yes. For China-to-UAE air and sea freight there is no minimum shipment quantity. Share your measurements and the applicable service and charges will be confirmed in your quotation.
More guides
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