Select Your Language
Use CBM3.net in your preferred language to calculate CBM, plan 3D container loading,
create PDF loading reports, and manage international cargo more easily.
🇬🇧
English
CBM Calculator & 3D Container Loading
🇹🇷
Türkçe
CBM Hesaplama ve Konteyner Yükleme
🇪🇸
Español
Calculadora CBM y carga de contenedores
🇦🇪
العربية
حساب المتر المكعب وتحميل الحاويات
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Deutsch
Kubikmeterberechnung und Containerbeladung
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Français
Calcul CBM et chargement des conteneurs
🇮🇹
Italiano
Calcolo CBM e carico dei container
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Русский
Расчет объема и загрузка контейнеров
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Português
Cálculo de CBM e carregamento de contentores
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हिन्दी
घन मीटर गणना और कंटेनर लोडिंग
and 3D container loading planner for international shipments.
CBM3.net is available in multiple languages to help logistics companies, exporters, importers, freight forwarders, and warehouse teams calculate cargo volume and plan container loading more easily.
You can use CBM3 to calculate cubic meters, convert cargo dimensions, estimate shipment volume, and create 3D container loading plans in the language that is most convenient for you.
Our goal is to make container loading and CBM calculation simple, visual, and accessible for international trade professionals around the world.
With CBM3, you can:
* Calculate CBM for cartons, pallets, boxes, and mixed cargo
* Use metric or imperial units depending on your market
* Simulate container loading in 3D
* Create step-by-step loading plans
* Export professional PDF loading reports
* Share loading plans with your team or customers
* Work with common container types such as 20ft, 40ft, 40HC, and 45HC
Whether you are preparing an export shipment, planning a consolidated cargo load, checking container capacity, or comparing different container options, CBM3 helps you work faster and avoid loading mistakes.
Please select your preferred language above to start using the CBM calculator and 3D container loading planner.
Compare four common container profiles
Use these catalog values to choose a starting profile, then test your actual cargo in the calculator.
| Container | Internal L × W × H (cm) | Internal volume (m³) | Payload check (kg) | Read guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20DC | 589 × 235 × 239 | 33.08 | 28,200 | Read guide |
| 40DC | 1203 × 235 × 239 | 67.57 | 28,600 | Read guide |
| 40HC | 1203 × 235 × 269 | 76.05 | 28,600 | Read guide |
| 45HC | 1355 × 235 × 270 | 85.97 | 27,600 | Read guide |
Planning values only. Confirm the supplied container’s dimensions, door opening and permitted payload with the carrier.
Test your shipment with a container loading calculator
Build a container loading plan for the quantities you intend to ship. Compare the arrangement with the equipment dimensions, weight allowance and handling rules before preparing the real load.
Volume is not a loading plan
CBM measures cargo volume. A 3D loading plan also tests dimensions, quantities, orientation and stacking restrictions. Enough spare volume does not prove that every box can be placed.
Test the quantities you need to ship
Choose 20DC (20GP), 40DC (40GP) or 40HC (40HQ), enter the packed dimensions, quantities and weights, and review placed and unplaced cargo. Standard planning tests the entered quantity; it does not guarantee maximum capacity or the fewest containers.
Separate palletizing from loaded-pallet planning
Enter a loaded pallet's full outside dimensions, total height and gross weight, counting the pallet base and tare once. Keep it upright. When palletizing cartons, preserve Pallet Required and allow floor loading only when the row permits it.
Review the result before loading
The result is a planning aid based on your inputs, not a securing design or transport approval. Check unplaced cargo and warnings, actual equipment limits and the requirements of the responsible transport parties.
Cargo loading software for shipment planning
Prepare the cargo list, inspect its 3D placement and export the reviewed plan. Container load planning goes beyond adding up cubic metres.
Best Fit container recommendation
Start with Best Fit - Automatic to receive a sea-container recommendation. Choose a reefer, trailer, ULD or pallet profile manually when needed. Switching between cm/kg and inches/lb preserves the physical cargo and the current loading plan. Enter a positive whole-number quantity. Use a decimal point or comma without thousands separators, and correct invalid rows before planning.
- Automatic sea-container recommendation
- Manual override stays available
- Reefers, trailers, ULDs and pallet profiles are selected manually
- Compare whether the shipment fits a 40HC container
Inspect the container loading simulation
Review the placement, loading sequence and unplaced units. Horizontal rotation is the default; allow Full 3D only for suitable cargo. Keep loaded pallets upright and preserve the real stacking restrictions.
- Full 3D rotation support
- Review the loading sequence step by step
- Review the actual space used by each item
- Clearer loading validation before export
Separate palletizing from loaded-pallet planning
Enter a loaded pallet's full outside dimensions, total height and gross weight, counting the pallet base and tare once. Keep it upright. When palletizing cartons, preserve Pallet Required and allow floor loading only when the row permits it.
- Count pallet base height and tare once
- Preserve Pallet Required and Floor-Load OK choices
- Keep loaded pallets upright
- Better density in real container plans
PDF outputs that are usable in operations
Generate PDFs that combine cargo data, container context, summary results and row-level Loading Note instructions. Density is shown in kg/m³ or lb/ft³ to match the selected units. Freight Class is a density-based estimate, not a definitive NMFC classification. Previously saved summaries retain their historical values.
- Loading Note included in PDFs
- Customer and warehouse friendly output
- Shareable summary in one file
- Useful for multilingual workflows
Saved calculations with business context
Reopen work faster with dashboard preview, status, customer, project and tag support.
- Preview a saved plan before reopening it
- Customer and project fields
- Tags and filters
- Language-aware dashboard flow
Import, save and share loading plans
Keep shipment planning reusable across devices and colleagues, then share or reopen a saved loading plan by code when needed. Preview CSV and Excel rows before import. Field errors remain visible; importing only the valid rows requires your explicit selection. Units are read from the column headings, or you choose the source units for older files without unit labels.
- CSV and row import workflow
- Save and reopen later
- Open or share saved plans by code
- Share results across the team
Explore your 3D container loading plan
Inspect cargo, organize warehouse instructions and review weight distribution before handing over a loading plan.
See every cargo unit in context
Search the cargo inventory, focus on an item and switch between realistic, operational, top and side views. Inspect pallet layers and height sections.
Prepare clearer warehouse instructions
Use product colors and short codes, named groups and delivery stops. Choose a summary or warehouse PDF for the selected plan.
Read the estimated center of gravity
Review longitudinal, lateral and height coordinates from known cargo and pallet masses. Check the displayed origin and units before comparing plans.
Inspect editable axle-load estimates
Supported road and rail profiles show 2, 4 or 5 axle loads, entered limits and utilization. Show or hide the cards in the simulation.
Loading plan methods
Choose the plan that best matches capacity, balance, or warehouse handling priorities.
Max Volume
Keeps the load compact to maximize usable cargo space.
Best Balance
Prioritizes a more centered weight distribution and stable load.
Deeper Search
Compares block layouts and box loading orders to find a denser container plan.
PRO Optimization
Searches for a better plan for boxes and upright cylinders for up to 90 seconds. Stop early to keep the best verified plan found so far.
Easy Loading
Spreads cargo across the floor to reduce stacking and simplify handling.
Stability First
Prefers higher support, bearing reserve, a lower center of gravity and a more even top surface.
Route First
Reduces delivery-stop inversions and conservative rehandling while preserving safety rules.
Max Volume v2
Runs a deterministic deeper search for a plan that cannot be worse than the current Max Volume result.
Layer Build
Builds regular walls and layers for eligible rectangular box loads.
Sequence Feasible
Verifies a conservative door-to-position loading order after the final placement is created.
Axle-Aware
Validates reactions at every stop when a sourced vehicle and axle profile is available.
Hard safety checks always override global and row-level preferences. Search budgets are limits, not fixed waiting times or a guarantee of the optimal result.
Global Loading Rules and Equipment Restrictions
Apply plan-wide constraints before row-level preferences. Model a real load space with an optional door opening, wheel arches and fixed internal obstacles. Empty fields preserve current planning behaviour.
Global loading rules
Apply plan-wide constraints before row-level preferences.
- Keep groups separateDo not mix cargo from different input rows in the same planning group.
- Strict stop orderPlace later delivery stops deeper so the next stop remains accessible.
- Allow partial supportPermit supported stacking down to the controlled minimum threshold.
Hard safety checks always override global and row-level preferences.
Industry loading presets
Apply proven starting rules, then adjust any row or plan rule to match the shipment.
- Custom rulesApply proven starting rules, then adjust any row or plan rule to match the shipment.
- FurnitureFragile, non-stackable furniture with orientation protection and easy unloading.
- Mixed warehouse picksKeep cargo groups separate, respect stop order, and favor easy unloading.
Applies only the selected starting defaults. You can edit any value afterwards.
Equipment restrictions
Model a real load space with an optional door opening, wheel arches and fixed internal obstacles. Empty fields preserve current planning behaviour.
- Door openingClear width (cm) · Clear height (cm)
- Wheel archesStart from x=0 (cm) · Length (cm) · Intrusion per side (cm) · Height (cm)
- Fixed internal obstaclesReserve non-loadable space for pillars, machinery or other fixed equipment.
No equipment restrictions are active.
Palletize my cargo
My cargo dimensions do not include pallets
- Auto (best fit)My cargo dimensions do not include pallets
- Pallet RequiredMy cargo dimensions do not include pallets
- Floor-Load OKMy cargo dimensions do not include pallets
My cargo dimensions do not include pallets
Plan sea containers, road equipment, railcars, ULDs and pallets in one selector
Choose verified sea, road, rail and air-cargo profiles, plus pallets and custom spaces, in one plan.
Container volume and payload figures are approximate. Confirm the exact internal dimensions, payload and carrier limits for the equipment you will use.
Sea containers
- 20' Dry Container (20DC)
- 40' Dry Container (40DC)
- 40' High Cube (40HC)
- 45' High Cube (45HC)
- 20' High Cube Palletwide
- 20' Open Top High Cube
- 40' High Cube Palletwide (SeaPC+)
- 45' High Cube Palletwide
- 40' High Cube Reefer (40RHC)
Road freight
- Standard Trailer (13.6m)
- Mega Trailer (13.6m)
- 26 ft North American Dry Freight Body
- 48 ft North American Flatbed
- 48 ft North American Step Deck
- 🌍 Transport Mode Comparison
- 💡 Weight limit is based on the selected container's max payload. Exceeding 90% triggers a warning.
Air cargo and ULDs
- ULD LD3 Container (AKE)
- ULD LD7 88-inch Pallet (PAG/PAJ/P1P)
- ULD PMC 96-inch Pallet (P6P)
- Swiss WorldCargo LD11 Pallet (PLA/PLB)
- ANA Cargo AKH (LD3-45WF)
- ANA Cargo DQF (LD8)
- Lufthansa Cargo DPE (LD2)
- ✈️ Chargeable Weight
Pallets and custom spaces
- My Pallet Profiles
- Custom pallet
- Custom Container
- Floor-Load OK
Rail freight
- BNSF 60 ft Plate-F Boxcar
- Trinity 66 ft Mill Gondola
- Rail has no automatic volumetric factor or default cost. Confirm the operator/carload quote.
From cargo measurements to a reviewed loading plan
Enter cargo rows
Add dimensions, weight, quantity, rotation preference and any Loading Note the warehouse should receive.
Accept Best Fit or switch manually
Use Best Fit for an automatic sea-container recommendation; select a reefer, trailer, ULD or pallet profile manually when needed.
Inspect the container loading simulation
Review the placement, loading sequence and unplaced units. Horizontal rotation is the default; allow Full 3D only for suitable cargo. Keep loaded pallets upright and preserve the real stacking restrictions.
Export, save or reopen later
Send the PDF, save the calculation to the dashboard, preview it later or reopen it through code-based access.
Cargo loading software for shipment planning
Prepare the cargo list, inspect its 3D placement and export the reviewed plan. Container load planning goes beyond adding up cubic metres.
40HC and reefer pre-check before booking
When a shipper asks whether the cargo fits in 40HC or 40RHC reefer, the team needs a fast answer based on real dimensions, not a rough estimate.
- Check usable fit before booking
- Compare standard and reefer scenarios
- Review leftover space and weight together
LCL or FCL quote support
Sales teams often search for a CBM calculator because they need a confident answer for quoting, freight class comparison or customer communication.
- Volume and chargeable logic in one workflow
- Container recommendation before quoting
- PDF output for customer-facing follow-up
Separate palletizing from loaded-pallet planning
Enter a loaded pallet's full outside dimensions, total height and gross weight, counting the pallet base and tare once. Keep it upright. When palletizing cartons, preserve Pallet Required and allow floor loading only when the row permits it.
- Count pallet base height and tare once
- Preserve Pallet Required and Floor-Load OK choices
- Keep loaded pallets upright
Warehouse handoff with loading instructions
A planning result is stronger when the warehouse receives the same assumptions used during quoting and simulation.
- Loading Note on every row
- PDF handoff with context
- Saved record for later reload or review
Start a loading plan without registration
In the current free mode, basic calculations, 3D planning, CSV/XLSX import and PDF export do not require registration. Technical quantity, file-size and processing limits still apply.
Sign in for account-owned cloud projects and the dashboard. Browser History and Templates stay in that browser; they are not a cross-device backup.
Free basic calculation and 3D planning
Cargo-file input and PDF output
Optional account for cloud projects
Container loading and load planning questions
CBM measures cargo volume. A 3D loading plan also tests dimensions, quantities, orientation and stacking restrictions. Enough spare volume does not prove that every box can be placed.
No. Cubic meter calculation gives the shipment volume, while volumetric weight turns that volume into a billing weight using a mode-specific factor. Sea, air and road freight do not use the same factor.
Choose 20DC (20GP), 40DC (40GP) or 40HC (40HQ), enter the packed dimensions, quantities and weights, and review placed and unplaced cargo. Standard planning tests the entered quantity; it does not guarantee maximum capacity or the fewest containers.
Use CBM calculations, container comparison, Excel/CSV import, PDF reports, weight distribution tools and unlimited 3D loading simulations for free. No registration is required to calculate or create 3D loading plans. Create a free account only to save, reopen and manage your projects.
No. Enter a loaded pallet's full outside dimensions, total height and gross weight, counting the pallet base and tare once. Keep it upright. When palletizing cartons, preserve Pallet Required and allow floor loading only when the row permits it.
Yes. The workflow can keep rows as pallet candidates first and move to floor-load only when pallet fit is not practical.
Yes. Trailer planning, pallet profiles and floor-load decisions can be evaluated in the same workflow so teams see a more realistic road-freight plan.
Yes. Each row can include a Loading Note, and those instructions can be exported with the PDF so warehouse or depot teams receive the same plan.
In the current free mode, basic calculations, 3D planning, CSV/XLSX import and PDF export do not require registration. Technical quantity, file-size and processing limits still apply. Sign in for account-owned cloud projects and the dashboard. Browser History and Templates stay in that browser; they are not a cross-device backup.
Yes. The BNSF 60 ft Plate-F boxcar and Trinity 66 ft mill gondola are manual loading-space profiles. Rail pricing is operator quoted, and loose bulk-flow simulation is not supported.
CBM3 includes Max Volume, Best Balance and Easy Loading, plus Stability First, Route First, optional Max Volume v2 deep search, Layer Build and Sequence Feasible checks when the shipment is eligible. Pareto Explorer compares completed verified plans without starting another solver. Deeper Search: Compares block layouts and box loading orders to find a denser container plan. PRO Optimization: Searches for a better plan for boxes and upright cylinders for up to 90 seconds. Stop early to keep the best verified plan found so far.
A library entry is a reusable product template, so adding it starts with quantity 1. Dimensions, weight and loading rules are preserved in either unit system. For an older entry without units, choose its original units once before using it.
No. The result is a planning aid based on your inputs, not a securing design or transport approval. Check unplaced cargo and warnings, actual equipment limits and the requirements of the responsible transport parties.
Build your next container loading plan
Plan how boxes and loaded pallets fit inside a container. Enter packed dimensions, quantities and weights, then review the 3D loading simulation. Use the container stuffing calculator to inspect placed and unplaced cargo, not just the total CBM.