{
  "slug": "container-load-cbm",
  "title": "Container Load (CBM) Calculator",
  "heading": "CBM & Container Load Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/container-load-cbm",
  "summary": "Cubic meters, cartons per container, and cost per unit landed.",
  "description": "Ocean freight prices by cubic meter for LCL and by box for FCL. Convert carton dimensions to CBM, see how many fit in a 20 ft or 40 ft container, and get the freight cost per unit.",
  "formula": "CBM = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 1,000,000; cartons = usable container volume ÷ CBM per carton.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=container-load-cbm",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "l",
      "label": "Carton length",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 60,
      "unit": "cm",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "w",
      "label": "Carton width",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 40,
      "unit": "cm",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "h",
      "label": "Carton height",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 40,
      "unit": "cm",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "unitsPerCarton",
      "label": "Units per carton",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 24,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "container",
      "label": "Container",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "40hc",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "20",
          "label": "20 ft standard (33 CBM)"
        },
        {
          "value": "40",
          "label": "40 ft standard (67 CBM)"
        },
        {
          "value": "40hc",
          "label": "40 ft high cube (76 CBM)"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "efficiency",
      "label": "Loading efficiency",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 85,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 40,
      "max": 100
    },
    {
      "id": "freight",
      "label": "All-in freight cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 3800,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "cartons",
      "label": "Cartons per container",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "units",
      "label": "Units per container",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "cbm",
      "label": "CBM per carton",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "usable",
      "label": "Usable container volume (CBM)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "perUnit",
      "label": "Freight cost per unit",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Carton length: 60 cm",
      "Carton width: 40 cm",
      "Carton height: 40 cm",
      "Units per carton: 24",
      "Container: 40 ft high cube (76 CBM)",
      "Loading efficiency: 85 %",
      "All-in freight cost: 3800 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Cartons per container: 672",
      "Units per container: 16,128",
      "CBM per carton: 0.096",
      "Usable container volume (CBM): 64.6",
      "Freight cost per unit: $0.236"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter carton length (cm).",
      "Enter carton width (cm).",
      "Enter carton height (cm).",
      "Enter units per carton.",
      "Enter container.",
      "Enter loading efficiency (%).",
      "Enter all-in freight cost ($).",
      "Read your cartons per container on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "l": 36,
        "w": 24,
        "h": 24,
        "unitsPerCarton": 14,
        "container": "40hc",
        "efficiency": 51,
        "freight": 2300
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "l": 60,
        "w": 40,
        "h": 40,
        "unitsPerCarton": 24,
        "container": "40hc",
        "efficiency": 85,
        "freight": 3800
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "l": 96,
        "w": 64,
        "h": 64,
        "unitsPerCarton": 38,
        "container": "40hc",
        "efficiency": 100,
        "freight": 6100
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Why apply a loading efficiency factor?",
      "a": "Cartons rarely tile perfectly and pallets waste space. Palletized loads typically achieve 75 to 85 percent of nominal volume; floor-loaded cartons can reach 90."
    },
    {
      "q": "When is LCL cheaper than FCL?",
      "a": "Usually below roughly 15 CBM. Past that, a full 20 ft container often costs less than the per-CBM LCL rate plus destination handling charges."
    }
  ],
  "related": [],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Container Load (CBM) Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/container-load-cbm)"
}