Shipping Volume Calculator — Cubic Feet
Cubic feet, CBM, dimensional weight and freight density — calculated as you type.
Freight Class & Density
LTL (less-than-truckload) carriers price by NMFC freight class, largely driven by density (lb/ft³). Higher density = lower class = cheaper. Density = weight in pounds ÷ cubic feet.
Below 4 lb/ft³ generally classes 200+. Above 30 lb/ft³ is class 60–85. Accurate cubic feet are essential to avoid reclassification fees.
Dimensional Weight
Parcel carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS) bill the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight. Domestic divisor is 139 (in³ ÷ 139 = lbs). International is typically 166.
Light, bulky items often bill on dim weight. A 24×18×12 in box: 5,184 in³ ÷ 139 = 37 lbs dim weight, even if it weighs only 10 lbs actual.
Container Cubic Feet
| Container | Cubic Feet | CBM |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ft Standard | 1,172 ft³ | 33.2 |
| 40 ft Standard | 2,390 ft³ | 67.7 |
| 40 ft High Cube | 2,694 ft³ | 76.3 |
| 45 ft High Cube | 3,043 ft³ | 86.2 |
Practical loadable volume is typically 80–90% of cubic capacity due to packaging gaps.
Pallet Reference
GMA pallet: 48 × 40 in footprint. At 48 in stacked height: 48 × 40 × 48 = 92,160 in³ = 53.3 ft³ per pallet. A 53 ft trailer holds 26 pallets (~1,385 ft³ pallet space).
Moving and Household Shipments
Household moves use the same cubic feet math as commercial freight. Estimate a full move by measuring each large item's cubic feet (or using published averages: a sofa runs 60–90 ft³, a queen mattress 25–30 ft³, a refrigerator 30–45 ft³) and summing the totals. Moving trucks list capacity in cubic feet — a 10 ft truck holds about 380 ft³, a 26 ft truck around 1,700 ft³. Compare your summed total against truck capacity, plus 15–20% for irregular packing gaps around boxes and furniture. See the storage calculator for standard storage unit sizes if you need short-term space between moves, or the weight calculator to estimate total load weight once you know the volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate shipping cubic feet?
Multiply L × W × H in inches, then divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet.
What is CBM in shipping?
Cubic Meter — the international shipping volume unit. 1 ft³ = 0.0283 CBM.
What is dimensional weight?
A billing weight based on package volume rather than actual weight. Domestic: L × W × H (in inches) ÷ 139 = lbs.
How many cubic feet in a 20 ft container?
About 1,172 cubic feet (33.2 CBM) for a standard 20 ft dry container.
How many cubic feet in a 40 ft container?
About 2,390 cubic feet (67.7 CBM) for a standard 40 ft dry container.
What is freight class?
NMFC classification 50–500 based on density (lb/ft³), value, stowability and handling.
How do I find density for freight class?
Weight in pounds ÷ cubic feet = lb/ft³. A 200 lb shipment at 10 ft³ = 20 lb/ft³.
What is a standard pallet size?
GMA pallets are 48 × 40 inches, typically loaded to 48 in tall = 53.3 ft³ per pallet.