How to calculate CBM and Freight Ton

One of the most common questions I get asked often is “how to calculate CBM and freight ton”, specially by those clients who get charged per Freight Ton or Revenue Ton..

Firstly CBM stands for CuBic Meter.. This is the most common unit used for the measurement of volumetric cargo.. Metric Tons as you know refers to the weight of cargo (1 Metric Ton = 1000 Kilograms)..

Freight Ton or Revenue Ton is derived by calculating the weight or volume of the cargo and the freight is charged based on whichever is higher..

When you have the dimensions of the package, first of all convert the measurement into meters..

Normally dimensions are in Length x Width x Height..

If for example the dimensions of a cargo crate is

3.2 x 1.2 x 2.2 meters then the CBM is simply 3.2 x 1.2 x 2.2 = 8.448 CBM..

As mentioned above, if the rate is quoted as for example USD.12/per freight ton and the weight of the package is 1200 kgs = 1.2 tons, then the freight rate for this will be

8.448 cbm x USD.12 = USD.101.376 or

1.2 tons x USD.12 = USD.14.4

Since the CBM rate is higher, the freight rate of USD.101.376 will apply..

For easy conversion of anything to anything – pls refer to http://www.onlineconversion.com/

77 COMMENTS

jennifer June 7, 2023 At 4:45 PM

I have the following information from the customer:

EUR 15 per CBM
1500 kg per shipment
5 CBM per shipment

Customer has requested for a rate per ton. What is the correct rate to provide for them?

Francis September 2, 2022 At 10:52 AM

Thank you so much

sayyed sadiya rahman December 16, 2021 At 8:01 AM

Please anybody can explain how to calculate freight ex per ton

Joven Ruthford May 17, 2021 At 8:31 AM

Freight Ton or Revenue Ton is derived by calculating the weight or volume of the cargo and the freight is charged based on whichever is higher..

Kumar November 5, 2020 At 4:51 AM

Hi My customer request quote based on Revenue Ton per week for floor storage. How do i calculate that ? Thanks

joanne May 5, 2020 At 4:21 AM

Hi

Can teach me how to calculate bulk vessel m3
example : 8mmx2438x9144mm -100pcs – 140mt

San San Oo February 6, 2019 At 7:09 AM

I am unclear term used between CIP & CIF and how is different for the word “Carriage ” C ( at CIP ) and the word “Freight ” F (at CIF ) . thank you

Scott September 24, 2018 At 4:03 PM

Thanks for all this: I am shipping timber and was quoted $115 metric ton, how do I convert this to cbm?

Youssef September 16, 2018 At 4:24 AM

Hi

Can plz explain about (stem ) in charterig and how to check availiblity if cargo

Thx

Darpan Khemani September 14, 2018 At 4:24 PM

Hi I have the simple formula 1st convert the measurement in Inches
15.74”X 11.81”X 11.81 X 80Boxes /61024=2.878 CBM

(Per CBM is $320)2.878 X 320= $921 total cost

Kyebambe isaac September 13, 2018 At 4:50 PM

I have 80 boxes of 40cm, 30cm,30cm at a cost of $320 / CBM how much is the total CBM and cost

Erik May 17, 2018 At 1:10 PM

Hi, when I moved my things to China the same shipping/delivering company calculated the GROSS volume to one size.
Now when I want to move back from China to Sweden I use the exact same boxes and furniture and the moving company survey in China estimates the volume to double size and also the prices seems to be doubled.
I feel I am being ripped off and taken advantage of.
How is this even possible, is it depending on the local freight liftvan packing possibilities and container types used that is different in china that makes it impossible to pack the items in the same efficient way without dead space (air) between boxes or furniture?
I can understand if the price is changed but tehy did not answer why and neither did they answer why the volume of the same items suddenly is calculated as double.
The local moving company havent picked up the items yet so maybe they will revise the volume, but still the huge difference in price is very strange indeed, could it be due to local fees or customs clearance fees?

- Hariesh Manaadiar May 17, 2018 At 1:21 PM
  
  Hi Erik, all I can suggest is that you do a few comparisons including some of the big brands involved in relocation business.. Maybe you will have a different perspective.. These things can be tricky..
dibaspati roy April 11, 2018 At 2:34 PM

Sorry Sir, I don’t agree to what you mentioned,ton is the unit of weight & cbm(or m3)is the unit of volume,both are different units and are linked through density(mass/volume),so without knowing density it’s impossible to link ton with cbm.

e,x,- Two cargoes weigh 1 ton(1000kg) each but let us say densities are 1.2 g/cc & 0.98g/cc resp. then the volume occupied by them will be 833.33cbm & 1020.408 cbm resp.
I hope it helps.

- Hariesh Manaadiar April 11, 2018 At 11:52 PM
  
  Hi Dibaspati.. What are you disagreeing with me on..?? I am explaining how to calculate CBM and how freight ton/revenue ton is determined.. I didn’t speak about linking/converting ton to CBM or vice versa..
- Mohammad Abdullah Shah January 27, 2021 At 2:01 PM
  
  Thats for liquid stuff. /cc means that the matter is some liquid. density g/cc will not apply to solid matter cargoes.
Young Sur July 30, 2017 At 2:09 AM

May I ask one thing, which is more common in figuing out the export price for Sand, per MT or per CBM. If MT is common, which is more applied, Short Ton or Long Ton?

Sharjeel Nawaz May 31, 2017 At 2:46 PM

Hi. I would like to know that if i have a consignment consisting of pipes .
Total 10 line items, 4 line items of larger diameter pipes are kept as loose pieces and 6 line items of small diameter pipes are kept as bundles.

It has to go via. Break bulk.

Charges are USD 100 FRT.

How to calculate the total FRT..

Will it be calculated for each of the 10 packages separately on the basis of dead weight and CBM whichever is higher… OR for total consignment’s one CBM and one Weight?

Mohamed Gany April 15, 2017 At 5:23 PM

Very interesting and informative. Thank you

THAN TUN LAY February 10, 2017 At 12:38 PM

please replay

1ton=how many CBM
how to Calculate show for me brother.

thanks
than tun lay

- Dan Zalewski March 14, 2017 At 7:04 PM
  
  Dear Than,
  
  There is no way for you to compare directly weight to measurement because it will vary according to the cargo.
  
  A quick example to understand this better: imagine 1 ton of steel and 1 ton of styrofoam
  Although you have 1 ton of each material, the steel will not take as much space than the styrofoam.
  
  Hope it is clear now my friend!
  
  Dan
Alex Philip February 9, 2017 At 1:30 PM

Hi Hariesh,
Thanks for enriching us with your blogs.
Kindly enlighten that how is freight calculated or arrived upon on Odd Dimension Cargo.? is it by CBM or by tonnage?
Alex

THAN TUN LAY February 8, 2017 At 11:17 AM

how to Calculate show me please result ( brother or Sister )

THAN TUN LAY February 8, 2017 At 11:14 AM

1 Ton = how many CBM

Htet Ko Zin December 16, 2016 At 7:47 AM

Thank you for sharing the knowledge

- Hariesh Manaadiar December 16, 2016 At 9:07 PM
  
  You are welcome Htet..
Shivani bisht June 29, 2016 At 1:31 AM

What if only dimension of cartons is given ???

- Hariesh Manaadiar June 29, 2016 At 10:19 AM
  
  Dimensions are what is required to calculate CBM..
shampa June 7, 2016 At 11:18 AM

Dear Harieshji, how could we differentiate the freight terms between CIF & FOB and FOB will be better from CIF for an importer to import cargo from china?

- Hariesh Manaadiar June 7, 2016 At 11:26 PM
  
  Hello Shampa, do you mean will the freight rate be better if it is on FOB basis than CIF..?? Not necessarily..
trisetie December 23, 2015 At 9:08 AM

where can i get the information about the 0.12 usd rate? does that 0.12 rate include tax, duty for imported and exported goods etc?

aditua July 9, 2015 At 12:22 PM

How we calculte cbm
If we have roll. (Round)

Ishara July 4, 2015 At 9:14 AM

How to get the chargeable weight from CBM to AIR FREIGHT

- John Paul May 13, 2018 At 11:02 AM
  
  convert All Dimension in CM then multiply and divide by 6000.
Shakeel Ahmad July 20, 2014 At 1:55 PM

Dear All,

thanks all for sharing good info. here raised a question in my mind that why we divide 61024 to dimension when dimension is in inch. or why why we divide by 1000000 when dimension is in c,m. where as in meter there is no need of any division. actually what is 61024 and 10000. please let me know?

- Shakeel Ahmad August 7, 2014 At 1:10 PM
  
  Dear Hariesh Manaadiar,
  Hera i m going to answer your question.. what does 61024 stands for?
  Actually 61024 is used to to calculate CBM while dimesions are in inches. first we need top convert inches into meter. in one meter there are 39.3701 inches. so when we calculate cbm while dimensions are in inch that time we mutiply
  39.3701 X 39.3701 X 39.3701 = 61024.
  eg
  L = 23” W = 12” H = 8”
  L X W X H / 61024
  23/39.3701 X 12/39.3701 X 8/39.3701
  0.036 CBM
  THIS IS CBM FOR 1 CARTON.
  I think it ll be hlpfl for u
Darpan Khemani April 12, 2014 At 2:30 PM

I have the simple formula to calculate the CBM-

Dimension in Inches – Length x Width x Height x No. of Carton / 61024

Its really helpful

- Hariesh Manaadiar April 12, 2014 At 3:07 PM
  
  Hi Darpan, what does the 61024 represent..??
- Darpan Khemani May 25, 2014 At 1:38 PM
  
  We calculate LCL shipments by taking the item or items that you would like to purchase and calculate their given volumes. To do this we first take the length, width, and depth of each piece and add from 1-4 inches to each dimension. We add the 1-4 inches to the size of the pieces to allow for packing and framing. Once we get the total volume of the piece or pieces you are ordering we divide the total volume by 61,024
  
  We get the 61,024 figure from length 39.37 inches multiplied by width 39.37 inches multiplied by Depth 39.37.
Tram November 28, 2013 At 6:00 AM

thnks so much abt all inf.above
Could you pls let me know who can issue SEAWAY bill.
I used to receive SWB from carrier but never get it from freight forwarder. if so just Carrier can issue SWB? and FWD just issue surrender bill? hope to get your feedback. thnks in advance.

- NIRMAL January 9, 2014 At 12:21 PM
  
  Hi Tram,
  
  depend on Shipping used in that case bcoz of only few shipping lines(CSAV & MOL) are issuing Seaway Bill, but forwarder never issue Seaway Bill they are using express release BL
  
  Thnx
  Nirmal
Tariq November 6, 2013 At 8:12 AM

Hi,

Thanks for nice CBM Calculation explanation. You can use this tool for calculations.
Its simple and useful.

http://www.cbmcalculator.com

sanjeev jalota October 26, 2013 At 10:11 AM

Dear Herish,

Many thanks for your g8 help and support for learning about shipping.

could you please help me in learning of air freight also…………please .?

Regards,

sanjeev Dubai.

Shaamsheer October 22, 2013 At 6:39 PM

Hi Hariesh!,

I would like to know why the shipping lines are charging different rates on demurrage on different occasions, for the same amount of time and same size of container?. Will be of grate help if i can get some light on it.

- sihle October 16, 2014 At 12:17 PM
  
  good question
sahel October 13, 2013 At 8:20 AM

why the rate in kg is equal to cbm,a higher cbm will carry lower weight goods ..

- Ishara July 4, 2015 At 9:20 AM
  
  if you moving your shipment on sea freight you should have to equal KG to CBM because that good will stuff to container
abhishek mishra September 23, 2013 At 1:31 PM

it’s the best ever, thanks for sharing this precise information…thanks a ton or cbm 🙂

nicolas rudd August 9, 2013 At 10:17 PM

what would be the dimesions on 2 cubic meters

manoj March 19, 2013 At 7:33 AM

Hi I am Manu, working in a freight forwaarding company in Imports Division. The explanation of CBM calculations is highly useful for any one who is in freight forwarding industry. Thank You for your expanations with examples in a simple language.

Julie March 11, 2013 At 5:38 AM

HI, I am new in the shipping line and wanted to thank you for taking time and effort for keeping a comprehensive below. Its really helpful.

- Hariesh Manaadiar March 11, 2013 At 10:40 AM
  
  You are most welcome Julie..
Barry Vessell February 5, 2013 At 10:17 PM

This is helpful to anyone that is new to the shipping sales department or is venturing into that line of work. Sales managers and such should know these formulas . Question, Can you explain how to come up with the stowage factor for a particular hatch, Any size with any tank top weight limit, just use an example. I used to know but have forgotten the formula.

- Hariesh Manaadiar February 6, 2013 At 10:21 AM
  
  Hi Barry, i found this which might be useful..
  
  Stowage factor is the amount of cubic feet it takes to store one long ton of a given cargo. This is used to calculate how much can be carried in a ship, container, or other space. This factor can vary depending on how the material is packed and stowed. Wax has a lower stowage factor in bags (53 cubic feet per ton) then in barrels (73). This means that it takes 20 less cubic feet to store one ton of wax in bags then in barrels. Stowage factor basically tells you how efficently a meterial is packed.
  
  The following formula is used to determine the stowage factor of a given cargo:
  
  f=(2240*v)/w
  
  f is the stowage factor. 2240 is the amount of pounds in a long ton. v is the volume of one unit of cargo, such as an ingot or bag. w is the weight in pounds of the container.
  
  Here are the stowage factors of some common items:
  Tires-100 cubic feet per ton
  Coffee-70 in bags
  Oranges-88 in cases, 63 in cartons
  Lead ingots-11
  
  Source: Marine Cargo Operations by Saurbier and Meurn
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Joe August 31, 2012 At 6:08 PM

Dave/RS Log…
How did you come up with the $15 per w/m rate for the inland? My issue is turning the per cwt (or per kg) charge into a per w/m charge.

Davis Fung August 2, 2012 At 10:30 AM

Here is an example to share :
1. Normally, LCL ocean freight are charge only base on CBM, however, some cargo are considered to be heavy cargo, hence, the trucking and inland charge will base on R.T. ( reveune ton ). Here is and example :

EXAMPLE :
Gross Weight : 2500kgs
CBM : 2 CBM
POL : XIAMEN
POD: NYC
Destination : Tampa,FL

Now, normally, we treate 1 cbm=1000kgs, hence, for 2500kg of cargo, it will be treated as 2.5cbm, so, the ocean freight from Xiamen to New York will be = $ 67 x 2.5 cbm = $ 167.50
And, for inland calculation, we normally use 1 cbm = 363kgs, hence, for 2500 kgs of cargo, it will be treated as ( 2500/363 ) 6.89 R.T. so the inland part will be charged as $ 15 x 6.89 R.T. = 103.35
So, the total freight charges from port to Tampa, FL is = $ 270.85

Please never use $ 67 + $ 15 = $ 82 per cbm x 2 cbm = $ 164.00, this way you will be under sell and loose money.

Davis / RS Log

- france September 22, 2016 At 9:08 AM
  
  I need more example like to choose which one is higher. if dimension weight (kg). Is it included to charge other processing at the port?
maan2012 August 1, 2012 At 3:09 AM

there’s an other wording instead of “per freight ton” “per W/M” it means per weight (= ton) or measurement (= cbm) which is higher at the advantage of the carrier.

Amin (9429506721) July 28, 2012 At 8:06 AM

I want to send three 75 tons of engine to Tamatave Madagascar from India. I can delivered this engines at any Indian port. Please find me suaitable shippers at lowest price.

vartan jinbasian July 9, 2012 At 7:30 PM

thanks for your help you are doing very interesthing and great things
best regards vartan jinbashian

Franz Mendoza May 30, 2012 At 10:24 PM

i want to know the computation of each freight charges for three invoices with
different supplier & different total amount which loaded in one container. the
total freight charges is 40,500 USD.

Rizal April 12, 2012 At 1:15 PM

how big the size 1 CBM in length x width x high. does look different with meter and centimeter? thank you.

Noel Peter February 22, 2012 At 8:57 AM

What is the deference between RT and CBM, is it the same as ton given above?

- manaadiar February 22, 2012 At 1:05 PM
  
  Hi Noel, CBM is the cubic meter which is the unit of measurement of the volume.. RT = Revenue Ton which is the freight rate calculated basis rate per ton or cbm whichever is higher.. Example if the freight is Usd.15/RT and the cargo weighs 10 tons and measures 12 cbm, then the freight charged would be Usd.15 x 12 cbm.. Trust this is clear..
om February 9, 2012 At 9:23 PM

now i understand…..till date im just wondering how sale manager calculation frieght charges.

thank you so much

hiskil September 5, 2011 At 7:54 PM

pls convert 20 tonnes of sharp sand to cbm

- manaadiar September 5, 2011 At 11:25 PM
  
  weight to volume conversion depends on the substance.. is the sand dry or loose or wet or wet packed..?? you can check on http://www.convert-me.com/en/convert/weight2volume.. They work according to their calculations..
Karthik July 21, 2011 At 1:55 PM

what if my freight forwarder provides a rate only per cbm. Is there any calculation to convert weight to cbm

chaw April 21, 2010 At 5:43 AM

so do i need to measure every single box if different sizes? then how to take average? please advise. thanks in advance.

Manish Vishwakarma April 1, 2010 At 11:56 AM

Hi!!!
Thanks for assisting in calculation. It is so easy to calculate. Appreciate if can throw some details on the topic

- manaadiar April 9, 2010 At 8:48 AM
  
  Hi Manish, what further details are you looking for..??
balaji March 18, 2010 At 7:35 AM

Hi, very simple cbm calcutation …good lah… i like it….thanks.

- manaadiar March 23, 2010 At 3:17 PM
  
  Thanks Balaji..
OLANIYI AKASORO December 13, 2009 At 9:13 PM

HI,

please assist,if i what to carry 2 tons of woven bags whose length,width and height is 57,25,50CM and the shipper quote 450 usd./CBM + DOC USD. 22/SET
THANKS

OLANIYI

- manaadiar December 14, 2009 At 10:53 AM
  
  Hi Olaniyi – sorry dont understand your question.. Please can you elaborate..?? Thanks..
SUJEET May 6, 2009 At 4:20 PM

Kindly provide DDP and DDU, calculation as comparison for any example of ur choice