CBM stands for “Cubic Meter,” and it is a unit of measurement used in shipping to quantify the volume of cargo or freight. Calculating CBM is essential for determining the amount of space required to transport goods and for calculating shipping costs, especially when dealing with large quantities of cargo.
Here’s how to calculate CBM:
- Measurements: Gather the dimensions of the cargo in meters (or convert from other units if necessary). You’ll need three measurements:
- Length (L): The longest side of the cargo.
- Width (W): The shorter side perpendicular to the length.
- Height (H): The vertical height from the bottom to the top of the cargo.
- Calculate Volume of Each Piece: Calculate the volume of each piece of cargo using the formula:Volume=Length×Width×HeightVolume=Length×Width×Height
- Calculate Total CBM: If you have multiple pieces of cargo, calculate the total CBM by summing up the volumes of all pieces.
- Example Calculation: Let’s say you have two boxes with the following dimensions:
- Box 1: L = 1.2m, W = 0.8m, H = 0.6m
- Box 2: L = 1.5m, W = 1m, H = 0.9m
- Volume of Box 1: 1.2×0.8×0.6=0.576 cubic meters1.2×0.8×0.6=0.576cubic meters
- Volume of Box 2: 1.5×1×0.9=1.35 cubic meters1.5×1×0.9=1.35cubic meters
- Round Up: In shipping, CBM is often rounded up to the nearest whole number or a fraction of a cubic meter.
- Consider Palletization: If your cargo is palletized, measure the dimensions of the pallet and add them to the cargo dimensions before calculating CBM.
By calculating CBM accurately, you can ensure efficient use of shipping space and accurately determine shipping costs.