CFT to CBM (Cubic Feet to Cubic Meters)
One cubic foot is 0.0283 cubic meters, so multiply CFT by 0.0283168, or divide by 35.315. 100 CFT is 2.83 CBM. Ocean forwarders bill shared-container freight per CBM, so this is the number they need from your US measurements.
1 ft³ = 0.0283 m³
cubic meters (m³)
Quick reference
How to convert cubic feet to cubic meters
To convert cubic feet to cubic meters, multiply by the conversion factor:
Multiply cubic feet by 0.0283168 to get cubic meters, or divide by 35.3147; both give the same result. Ocean freight in a shared container is billed per CBM, so this is the number a forwarder needs from US measurements.
| Cubic feet (CFT) | Cubic meters (CBM) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.028 |
| 10 | 0.283 |
| 35.3 | 1.000 |
| 50 | 1.416 |
| 66.7 (48 × 40 × 60 in pallet) | 1.888 |
| 100 | 2.832 |
| 500 | 14.158 |
| 1,000 | 28.317 |
| 2,000 | 56.634 |
From inch measurements to CBM in two steps
Most US cargo gets measured in inches, so the practical path to CBM runs through cubic feet: multiply length × width × height in inches, divide by 1,728 to get CFT, then multiply by 0.0283168 to get CBM. A standard pallet loaded to 48 × 40 × 60 in is 115,200 in³ ÷ 1,728 = 66.67 CFT × 0.0283168 = 1.888 CBM.
If you'd rather skip the intermediate step, divide cubic inches by 61,023.74 to land on CBM directly — same answer, one operation. Either way, keep the raw dimensions; forwarders re-measure at the CFS and bill on their numbers, so you want to be able to check their math.
Why the forwarder wants CBM, not cubic feet
Ocean LCL rates are quoted per revenue ton on a weight-or-measure basis, and the "measure" side is always cubic meters. Your 100 CFT shipment is 2.832 CBM to the forwarder, and that's the figure the tariff applies to.
One consequence worth knowing: most LCL tariffs carry a 1 CBM minimum charge. Since 1 CBM is 35.31 CFT, any shipment under about 35 cubic feet bills exactly the same as one at 35 — consolidating two small shipments into one booking often costs nothing extra in freight.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert cubic feet to CBM?
Multiply by 0.0283168, or divide by 35.3147. For example, 100 cubic feet is 2.832 CBM.
How do I get CBM from measurements in inches?
Multiply length × width × height in inches and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet, then multiply by 0.0283168. Or divide the cubic inches by 61,023.74 to get CBM in one step.
Why does my forwarder want CBM, not cubic feet?
Shared-container (LCL) ocean freight is billed per cubic meter or per 1,000 kg, whichever is more, so the tariff works in CBM. Keep your own measurements so you can check the forwarder's.
What is 1,000 cubic feet in CBM?
28.32 CBM, a little under the 33.1 CBM inside a 20ft container.