Shipping & packaging
How to Total the Volume of a Shipment of Boxes
A shipment’s total volume is a quick measure of how much space it needs, and it is often the first number freight forwarders and warehouses ask for. With several box sizes, the method is to work each size out once, multiply by its count, and add.
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Work each size once
Use outside dimensions, because it is the space the boxes take that matters here. Work out one box of each size, multiply by how many there are, then add the sizes together.
| Box (outside) | Count | Each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 × 18 × 16 in | 25 | 3 ft³ | 75 ft³ |
| 16 × 12 × 12 in | 40 | 1.333 ft³ | 53.33 ft³ |
| 24 × 18 × 18 in | 10 | 4.5 ft³ | 45 ft³ |
Altogether: 173.33 ft³, which is about 4.908 m³.
Cubic feet or cubic meters
Freight quoted internationally is usually in cubic meters (CBM). One cubic foot is about 0.02832 m³, so multiply cubic feet by that, or divide by about 35.31. Working in centimeters from the start avoids converting at the end.
What the total doesn’t include
- Gaps between boxes when they are stacked, which depend on how the sizes combine.
- Pallets and their height, if the boxes ship on pallets.
- Space lost at the top of a container or truck, or to load limits.
Total box volume is the minimum space the shipment needs, not the space it will take once loaded.
Keep a tidy record
- List each box size with its outside dimensions and count.
- Work out the volume of one box of each size.
- Multiply by the count and add the sizes.
- Convert to the unit your forwarder or warehouse asks for.
Totalling Shipment Volume FAQ
- How do I calculate the total volume of several boxes?
- Work out one box of each size, multiply by how many there are, and add the totals.
- How do I convert cubic feet to CBM?
- Multiply by about 0.02832, or divide by about 35.31.
- Should I use inside or outside dimensions for a shipment?
- Outside dimensions, because the shipment’s space depends on the boxes’ outside size.
- Is total box volume the space the shipment will take?
- It is the minimum. Stacking gaps, pallets, and loading limits all add to the space needed.
- How many cubic meters is 173 cubic feet?
- About 4.9 m³ — 173.33 ft³ is about 4.908 m³.
Related guides
- Box Volume in Cubic FeetHow to work out a box’s volume in cubic feet from inches, feet, or mixed measurements, with worked examples and the metric equivalent in cubic meters.
- Inside vs Outside DimensionsThe difference between a box’s inside and outside dimensions, which to use for packing, storage, and shipping, and how wall thickness changes the volume.
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