Free CBM calculator for Indian exporters and importers. Input your carton or pallet sizes to calculate total CBM, weight and container loading compatibility. Supports Ocean Freight, Air Freight and LCL shipments from all major Indian ports.
Add carton or pallet sizes below — total CBM, weight and container fit update instantly.
Pallet presets are pallet-only dimensions — enter your stacked cargo height and weight for an accurate fit.
Carton Dimension Entry
0.00 CBM
Total Volume
0.00 Tons
Total Weight
0
Total Cartons
Container Fill Analysis
Air Freight Results
Airlines charge on higher of Actual Weight or Volumetric Weight (L x W x H in cm / divisor x Qty).
Chargeable Weight:
LCL Estimate
Quick Answer: How many cartons fit in a container?
Calculate one carton's volume (Length × Width × Height in metres) and divide the container's usable volume by it: a 20ft container holds ~28 CBM, a 40ft ~58 CBM, and a 40ft High Cube ~68 CBM. This free CBM calculator does it for you — add each carton or pallet size, and it shows total CBM, the best-fit container with fill percentages, air-freight chargeable weight (IATA 1:6000 or courier 1:5000), LCL cost ranges, and port-to-port freight estimates from 14 Indian ports and ICDs. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Related Free EXIM Tools
Continue your compliance and documentation workflow with these free tools from One Link Exim Solutions.
Pick a Quick-Fill preset (garment boxes, spice cartons, Euro/Indian pallets) or enter your own dimensions in cm or inches.
2
Pick the Freight Mode
Ocean shows container fill bars, Air computes chargeable weight with your IATA divisor, LCL prices the space you need.
3
Act on the Results
Choose port and destination for a route estimate with THC, download the PDF report, or send it to us on WhatsApp for filing help.
The formulas are the industry standards: CBM = L × W × H (m) × Qty; air volumetric weight = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ divisor × Qty with divisor 6000 for standard air cargo and 5000 for express courier. Container capacities used: 20 GP 28 CBM / 21.7 t, 40 GP 58 CBM / 26.3 t, 40 HC 68 CBM / 26.3 t, 45 HC 78 CBM / 25.6 t, 20' Reefer 21 CBM / 21.1 t.
CBM, Container Fit and Freight Costing for Indian Exporters
Whether you export garments from Tirupur, spices from Kochi or auto parts from Pune, your freight cost starts with volume. CBM (cubic metre) decides how much space your cargo occupies — and therefore what the shipping line or airline charges you. This calculator bundles the three decisions every exporter makes before booking: how much space do I need (CBM and container fit), what will it weigh for billing (chargeable weight for air), and what will the leg from an Indian port cost (route estimates with THC for JNPT, Mundra, Chennai, Kolkata and more).
FCL vs LCL at a glance
Factor
FCL (Full Container)
LCL (Shared Container)
Best when
Cargo > 15 CBM
Cargo < 15 CBM
You pay
Per container (flat rate)
Per CBM used (min 1 CBM)
Transit & handling
Faster, less handling
Extra handling at CFS
Risk
Cargo sealed in own container
Shared space with other shippers
This tool
Fill bars + best-fit recommendation
Per-region ₹/CBM rate ranges
Container types covered
Container Type
Usable Volume
Max Payload
20ft Standard (20 GP)
28 CBM
21.7 tons
40ft Standard (40 GP)
58 CBM
26.3 tons
40ft High Cube (40 HC)
68 CBM
26.3 tons
20ft Reefer
21 CBM
21.1 tons
45ft High Cube (45 HC)
78 CBM
25.6 tons
Official references
IATA — the 1:6000 volumetric divisor standard for air cargo (express couriers commonly use 1:5000).
ISO 668 — the standard that defines series-1 freight container dimensions and ratings.
ICEGATE — Indian Customs e-filing for shipping bills and port registrations.
Last updated: 9 September 2026. Reviewed by One Link Exim Solutions — trade documentation advisors for Indian importers and exporters. Freight rates shown are indicative ranges; confirm with your forwarder before booking.
How This Calculator Is Different
Built for Indian trade lanes: 14 loading points — sea ports, ICDs and air cargo stations — with per-port THC estimates and 10 destination-region rate tables, not one global average.
Three freight modes in one place: ocean container fit, air chargeable weight and LCL costing update together as you edit cartons.
Pallet-aware: Euro and Indian pallet presets alongside carton presets, so consolidated palletised cargo is planned as easily as loose cartons.
Nothing is uploaded: all math runs in your browser; the PDF report and WhatsApp share are generated on your device.
Acts as a lead-in to filing help: send the calculated shipment summary straight to our documentation team on WhatsApp.
Free forever: no signup, no usage caps, no ads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CBM in shipping?
CBM stands for Cubic Metre and is the standard unit of measurement for cargo volume in international shipping. It is calculated as the length × width × height of a shipment in metres. Freight forwarders and shipping lines use CBM to determine how much space your cargo occupies, which directly impacts your freight charges.
How to calculate CBM for multiple cartons?
Calculate the CBM of one carton (L × W × H in metres), then multiply by the total quantity. For example, a 60 cm × 40 cm × 30 cm carton is 0.072 CBM. If you ship 100 cartons, the total CBM is 7.2 CBM.
What is difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL (Full Container Load) means you rent an entire container exclusively for your cargo. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your cargo shares space with other shippers. FCL is cost-effective above 15 CBM, while LCL is ideal for smaller volumes where you pay only for the space you use.
What is chargeable weight in air freight?
Airlines charge on the higher of the actual physical weight or the volumetric (dimensional) weight. Volumetric weight is calculated as (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 6000 for standard air cargo, or ÷ 5000 for express couriers, multiplied by quantity.
Which container size should I use?
A 20ft Standard holds about 28 CBM and 21.7 tons. A 40ft Standard holds about 58 CBM and 26.3 tons. A 40ft High Cube holds about 68 CBM and 26.3 tons. For cargo above 68 CBM, consider a 45ft High Cube (78 CBM) or multiple containers.
What is the CBM of a 20ft container?
A standard 20ft container (20 GP) has a usable volume of approximately 28 CBM and a maximum payload of about 21.7 tons. Internal dimensions are typically 5.9 m × 2.35 m × 2.39 m, but usable space is reduced by packaging and loading constraints.
How many cartons fit in a 40ft container?
A 40ft Standard container holds about 58 CBM. If each carton is 0.06 CBM, approximately 960 cartons can fit. Use our calculator to determine the exact number based on your carton dimensions.
What is the difference between CBM and chargeable weight?
CBM measures the physical volume of your cargo in cubic metres. Chargeable weight is the weight used for freight calculation — the higher of actual weight or volumetric weight. Ocean freight is typically billed per CBM, while air freight is billed per chargeable kilogram.
How do I convert inches to CBM?
Multiply each dimension in inches by 2.54 to get centimetres, then divide by 100 to get metres, then multiply L × W × H. Our calculator has a built-in CM/Inches toggle that handles this conversion automatically.
How much does ocean freight cost from India?
Ocean freight varies by route, season and container type. JNPT to Europe: approximately 2.5-3.5 lakh INR for a 20ft container. JNPT to Middle East: approximately 1-1.5 lakh INR. Use our route estimator for a more accurate indication based on your port and destination.
