Calculate CBM in Feet
Free feet to CBM calculator. Convert L × W × H in feet to cubic meters (m³) for shipping, freight, LTL trucking and container loading.
Use our free shipping CBM calculator to calculate CBM in feet. It supports cm, m, inches, feet and yards, and converts cubic feet (CFT) to cubic meters (CBM) instantly — the result you need for ocean and air freight quotes.
Need mixed carton sizes, weight and container fit? Use the full CBM Calculator.
Feet to CBM formula
CBM = (Length × Width × Height in feet) × 0.0283168 × Quantity. Equivalently, 1 CFT = 0.0283168 m³, and 1 CBM = 35.3147 CFT.
Example 1 — Pallet-sized carton
- Carton: 4 × 3 × 2 ft
- Volume per carton = 4 × 3 × 2 × 0.0283168 ≈ 0.6796 CBM
- 100 cartons → ~67.96 m³ — fits a 40HC container (see 40HC specs)
- Equivalent CFT = 24 × 100 = 2,400 ft³
Example 2 — LTL freight skid
- Skid: 4 × 4 × 5 ft
- Volume per skid = 80 × 0.0283168 ≈ 2.265 CBM
- 10 skids → 22.65 m³
- Roughly fills a 20ft container — confirm in the container capacity calculator
CFT vs CBM in shipping
US domestic LTL freight, household goods movers and self-storage operators often quote in cubic feet (CFT), while ocean and air international freight is priced per cubic meter (CBM). Converting feet to CBM is essential the moment your shipment crosses a border. Our freight CBM calculator handles the conversion automatically, alongside volumetric weight for air and courier.
Feet to CBM quick conversion
- 1 × 1 × 1 ft → 0.0283 CBM
- 2 × 2 × 2 ft → 0.227 CBM
- 4 × 3 × 2 ft → 0.680 CBM
- 4 × 4 × 4 ft → 1.812 CBM
- 8 × 4 × 4 ft → 3.624 CBM (a typical heavy LTL pallet)
Furniture & appliance crate reference (feet)
- Dishwasher crate — 2.5 × 2.5 × 3 ft → 0.531 CBM
- Full-size refrigerator crate — 3 × 3 × 6 ft → 1.529 CBM
- Sectional sofa crate — 8 × 3 × 3 ft → 2.038 CBM
- Queen mattress carton — 7 × 5 × 1 ft → 0.991 CBM
- Dining table crate — 6 × 4 × 3 ft → 2.038 CBM
- Wardrobe / armoire crate — 4 × 2 × 7 ft → 1.585 CBM
Worked example — US domestic LTL shipper (Chicago → Dallas)
- Step 1 — 6 palletized appliance crates at 4 × 4 × 5 ft = 80 ft³ per pallet.
- Step 2 — Total volume = 480 ft³ → 480 × 0.0283168 = 13.59 CBM.
- Step 3 — Convert to LTL density: gross weight 3,600 lb ÷ 480 ft³ = 7.5 lb/ft³ → NMFC class 125.
- Step 4 — Book on class 125, not class 70; higher class = higher LTL rate.
- Step 5 — If the destination requires an ocean leg, the same 13.59 CBM becomes the LCL W/M billable quantity.
FAQs — CBM in feet
Is CFT the same thing as CBM?
No. CFT is cubic feet, CBM is cubic meters. 1 CBM = 35.3147 CFT, so they are proportional but not interchangeable on invoices — US LTL bills in CFT, ocean freight bills in CBM.
Why do US movers quote household goods in cubic feet?
Household goods tariffs in the US (HHG-400N) were written in ft³ and pounds. Movers still estimate room-by-room in cubic feet and only convert to CBM if the shipment goes international.
Does LTL density really change the rate that much?
Yes. NMFC class scales roughly inversely with density: 20 lb/ft³ = class 60, 6 lb/ft³ = class 150. Doubling density can cut your LTL invoice by 40–60% on the same route.
Need a different unit? Try CBM in cm, CBM in inches, or use the shipping unit converter for any other length unit.