Shipping and packaging measurements
Box Volume Calculator
Calculate the volume of a rectangular box in cubic feet, cubic inches, cubic meters (CBM) and liters. Enter the three dimensions in your preferred unit and optionally calculate the combined volume of identical cartons.
Interactive calculator
Calculate a box's volume
Enter a rectangular box's length, width and height. Multiply by quantity when you have identical boxes. Choose inside dimensions for usable carton volume or outside dimensions for overall shipment volume.
How to calculate
Box volume formula
Multiply the box's length, width and height in the same unit: volume = length × width × height. For a shipment with identical cartons, multiply the per-box volume by the carton quantity. CartonVista converts the result into cubic inches, cubic feet, cubic meters and liters.
Choose the dimensions that match your question: internal dimensions for usable space in the carton, or external dimensions for the finished shipping package. The tool does not automatically add wall thickness or padding. External shipping dimensions are measured on the closed carton outside, including board thickness. They may differ from the usable interior. CBM (cubic meter) expresses the volume calculated from dimensions in meters.
Worked example
12 × 9 × 6 inches in cubic feet
A box that measures 12 × 9 × 6 inches has a volume of648 cubic inches. Divide by 1,728 cubic inches per cubic foot:0.375 ft³ per box. In cubic meters, the same volume is approximately 0.0106188 m³ (CBM).
Ten identical boxes have a combined geometric volume of3.75 ft³ (approximately 0.106188 m³). This does not include pallets, gaps between boxes, or protective packaging.
Common questions
Box volume calculator FAQs
How many cubic feet are in a box?
Multiply its dimensions in inches and divide the result by 1,728. If the dimensions are already in feet, simply multiply length × width × height.
What is CBM for shipping?
CBM means cubic meters. Multiply the length, width and height in meters to find a box's cubic-meter volume. Multiply by carton quantity for the combined box volume.
Should I measure inside or outside the carton?
For usable packing space, measure inside. For overall shipping dimensions, measure the closed package outside. Actual freight arrangements may also account for pallets and handling space.
Does box volume tell me how many products fit?
No. Volume does not establish whether product shapes can be arranged inside a box. Use a packing workflow to evaluate actual placements.
Related CartonVista tools
Go beyond a volume calculation
For item volume as a percentage of usable carton space, try theBox Utilization Calculator. For package dimensional-weight comparisons, use theDimensional Weight Calculator. For the minimum geometric dimensions required by one item, use theBox Size Calculator.
Need a real packing plan rather than volume arithmetic? ExplorePersonal Packing orBusiness Workflows.