Conversion · Shipping

CBM to Cubic Feet (and Cubic Feet to CBM)

One cubic metre (1 CBM) is 35.3147 cubic feet. To convert CBM to cubic feet, multiply by 35.3147; to convert cubic feet to CBM, divide by 35.3147. The tables below give the common shipping volumes both ways.

The formula

Cubic feet = CBM × 35.3147

CBM = cubic feet ÷ 35.3147 (the same as cubic feet × 0.0283168)

The factor comes from the foot itself: one foot is exactly 0.3048 m, so one cubic foot is 0.3048 × 0.3048 × 0.3048 = 0.0283168 m³, and one cubic metre is 1 ÷ 0.0283168 = 35.3147 ft³.

CBM to cubic feet

CBM (m³)Cubic feet (ft³)
0.517.66
135.31
270.63
3105.94
5176.57
10353.15
15529.72
20706.29
25882.87
28988.81
301,059.44
33.21,172.45
501,765.73
67.72,390.80
76.42,698.04

33.2, 67.7 and 76.4 m³ are the inside volumes of a 20ft, 40ft and 40ft High Cube container.

Cubic feet to CBM

Cubic feet (ft³)CBM (m³)
10.028
100.283
501.416
1002.832
2507.079
50014.158
1,00028.317
1,17233.187
2,00056.634
2,39067.677
2,70076.455

1,172, 2,390 and 2,700 ft³ are the usual rounded inside volumes quoted for a 20ft, 40ft and 40ft High Cube container.

Worked examples

12.5 CBM in cubic feet. 12.5 × 35.3147 = 441.43 ft³.

600 cubic feet in CBM. 600 ÷ 35.3147 = 16.990 m³.

A carton measured in inches. 24 × 16 × 12 in = 4,608 cubic inches. Divide by 1,728 for cubic feet: 2.667 ft³. Divide that by 35.3147 for CBM: 0.0755 m³.

Common questions

Is CBM the same as cubic metres?

Yes. CBM stands for cubic metre (m³). Freight forwarders use CBM; it is the same unit.

Is CFT the same as cubic feet?

Yes. CFT, cu ft and ft³ all mean cubic feet.

How many cubic feet is 1 CBM?

35.3147 cubic feet (35.31 is close enough for a quotation).

How many CBM is 1 cubic foot?

0.0283 m³.

Next step

Open the CBM Calculator

Enter carton sizes in cm, mm, m or inches with quantities: it totals the CBM and cubic feet, checks the weight and shows what fits a 20ft, 40ft or 40ft High Cube container.

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