What is a Cubic Metre (m³)?
A cubic metre (m³) is the SI unit of volume equal to a cube measuring 1 metre on each side. It is the standard unit of measurement used in international shipping, construction, and storage to calculate space and volume.
In freight and logistics, cubic metres are commonly referred to as CBM (Cubic Metre). One CBM represents 1m × 1m × 1m of cargo space.
Cubic Meter Formula
Volume (m³) = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m)
For multiple units: m³ = L × W × H × Quantity
For multiple units: m³ = L × W × H × Quantity
How to Convert to Cubic Metres
| Input Unit | Conversion to Metres | Then Calculate |
|---|---|---|
| Millimetres (mm) | Divide by 1,000 | L(m) × W(m) × H(m) |
| Centimetres (cm) | Divide by 100 | L(m) × W(m) × H(m) |
| Metres (m) | No conversion | L × W × H directly |
| Inches (in) | Multiply by 0.0254 | L(m) × W(m) × H(m) |
| Feet (ft) | Multiply by 0.3048 | L(m) × W(m) × H(m) |
Cubic Metres for Shipping vs Home Use
The cubic metre calculator works identically for both shipping and home/garden use cases. Whether you're calculating how many boxes fit in a container or the volume of a room for flooring or concrete, the formula is the same.
- Shipping: Calculate CBM to get freight quotes, determine LCL vs FCL, find container capacity
- Home/Garden: Calculate room volume for air conditioning, concrete for a slab, soil for a garden bed, paint coverage
- Storage: Calculate storage unit volume, moving truck capacity, warehouse space
1 Cubic Metre Equals
| Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Cubic Feet (ft³) | 35.3147 ft³ |
| Cubic Inches (in³) | 61,023.7 in³ |
| Cubic Centimetres (cm³) | 1,000,000 cm³ |
| Litres | 1,000 L |
| US Gallons | 264.172 gallons |
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard 20ft GP container has approximately 33.2 m³ of internal volume. A 40ft GP has 67.6 m³ and a 40ft High Cube has 76.4 m³. In practice, usable space is 10–15% less due to walls and packing gaps.
They are identical — CBM stands for Cubic Metre. The term CBM (or "cubic meter" in American English) is simply the freight industry's abbreviation for m³. 1 CBM = 1 m³.
Measure the room length, width and height in metres, then multiply: m³ = L × W × H. For a room 5m × 4m × 2.5m high = 50 m³. Use our Home Cubic Meter Calculator with room-specific guidance.