CBM and container load calculator
Cartons in, cubic metres out. See how many fit a 20ft, 40ft or high cube, how many go on a pallet, and whether to share a container or book your own.
| Type | Inside L × W × H (m) | m³ |
|---|---|---|
| 20GP | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 33.2 |
| 40GP | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 | 67.7 |
| 40HC | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 | 76.3 |
- Volume
- 19.2CBM
- Weight
- 3,000kg
- W/M
- 19.2RT
Practical load limit, where most real loads stop
Pallets · stacked to
Euro pallet (EPAL 1)
1200 × 800 mm · Europe
12cartons
4 per layer × 3 layers · 17 pallets
Standard pallet 1200 × 1000
1200 × 1000 mm · Europe, Asia, Middle East
12cartons
4 per layer × 3 layers · 17 pallets
North American GMA 48 × 40 in
1219 × 1016 mm · USA, Canada
12cartons
4 per layer × 3 layers · 17 pallets
Asia pallet 1100 × 1100
1100 × 1100 mm · Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia
8cartons
4 per layer × 2 layers · 25 pallets
LCL or FCL?
A full container usually wins
Over 15 CBM a 20ft box often costs less than LCL, and your goods are not handled with anyone else's.
Add both quotes, in any currency, to find your own break-even.
20ft standard containers
1 × 20GP
19.2 CBM at 58% of capacity
How we worked this out
CBM = L × B × H (cm) ÷ 1,000,000 · cartons per container = rows × columns × layers, capped by payload
- 01Carton volume60 × 40 × 40 cm ÷ 1,000,0000.096 CBM
- 02Total volume0.096 × 200 cartons19.2 CBM
- 03Total weight15 kg × 2003,000 kg
- 04Fit by space, 20ft standard9 along × 5 across × 5 high, inside 5,898 × 2,352 × 2,393 mm225 cartons
- 05Fit by weight28,250 kg payload ÷ 15 kg1,883 cartons
- 06Containers needed200 ÷ 225 per box, rounded up1
- 07Space used19.2 ÷ (1 × 33.2 CBM)57.8%
- 08Revenue tonnes for LCLmax(3 t, 19.2 CBM)19.2 W/M
Data source
- ISO 668 container dimensions (typical)Typical ISO 668 dry-container figures. Tare and payload vary by manufacturer and shipping line; check the container's CSC plate for the exact limit.
- Sea LCL weight-or-measureWeight-or-measure (W/M) convention for less-than-container-load sea freight
- LCL vs FCL rule of thumbRule of thumb used by freight forwarders, not a published standard. The real break-even is the FCL box rate divided by the LCL rate per CBM on your lane, so compare two actual quotes when you are between the two figures.
- Pallet stack heightHyre's default planning height, including the pallet deck. Many warehouses and airlines cap pallets lower, so check with your forwarder.
Carton counts assume identical cartons stacked in neat rows, all turned the same way. Real loaders mix orientations and lose space to pallets, dunnage and door clearance, so plan to the practical-load range, not the full capacity.
Send this load plan
Freight questions
How do I calculate CBM?
Multiply length × breadth × height in centimetres and divide by 1,000,000. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton is 0.096 CBM. Multiply by the number of cartons for the total.
How many CBM fit in a 20ft container?
A 20ft standard container holds about 33.2 CBM inside, but real loads usually stop at 25 to 28 CBM because cartons never fill every gap. A 40ft holds about 67.7 CBM and a 40ft high cube about 76.3 CBM.
When is FCL cheaper than LCL?
As a rule of thumb LCL is usually cheaper under 10 CBM and a full 20ft container usually wins above 15 CBM. The real break-even is your FCL box rate divided by your LCL rate per CBM.