Cubic Meter Calculator: Free Online Metric Volume Calculator
Use our free cubic meter calculator to determine the volume of any space or object using the metric system. Ideal for international construction projects, shipping container volume, concrete calculations, and bulk material estimation. Enter your dimensions in meters or centimeters and get instant results in cubic meters.
How to use this calculator.
- Enter your dimensions. Input the length, width, and height (or depth) of the space you want to measure.
- Select your input unit. Choose meters or centimeters for each dimension. The calculator handles unit conversion automatically.
- Click calculate. The result displays the volume in cubic meters instantly.
- Review equivalents. Results also show cubic feet and cubic yards for cross-reference with imperial measurements.
How do you calculate cubic meter volume?
To calculate volume in cubic meters, multiply the length by the width by the height. If any dimensions are in centimeters, divide by 100 to convert to meters first.
Volume (m³) = Length (m) × Width (m) × Height (m)
Cubic Meters to Cubic Feet: cu ft = cu m × 35.3147
Cubic Meters to Cubic Yards: cu yd = cu m × 1.30795
Cubic Meters to Liters: L = cu m × 1,000
Where:
- Length: The longest horizontal dimension, in meters or centimeters.
- Width: The shorter horizontal dimension, in meters or centimeters.
- Height: The vertical dimension, in meters or centimeters.
Example calculation.
Let us calculate the volume of concrete needed for a foundation slab.
Scenario: You are pouring a concrete slab that is 5 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 150 millimeters thick.
- Convert thickness to meters: 150 mm ÷ 1,000 = 0.15 m
- Calculate volume: 5 m × 3 m × 0.15 m = 2.25 m³
Result: You need 2.25 cubic meters of concrete for this slab.
Tips from the field.
- One cubic meter of water weighs exactly 1,000 kg.This is the basis of the metric system and makes water-based volume calculations trivial for engineering work.
- Shipping containers are measured in cubic meters.A 20-foot container holds approximately 33 cubic meters; a 40-foot container holds about 67 cubic meters.
- Concrete is ordered in cubic meters internationally.Outside the US, ready-mix concrete is sold by the cubic meter rather than the cubic yard. One cubic meter equals approximately 1.31 cubic yards.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for planning purposes only. Always verify measurements on site and add a waste factor appropriate to your material. PavementCalculator.com assumes no liability for material overages or shortages.
Cost, price, and density figures on this page reflect approximate U.S. averages as of August 2026 and vary by region, supplier, and material availability.
Frequently asked questions.
How do you calculate cubic meters?
Multiply length × width × height (all in meters). For example, a space that is 3 m long, 3 m wide, and 3 m high has a volume of 27 cubic meters. Our calculator above performs this calculation automatically.
How many liters are in a cubic meter?
One cubic meter equals exactly 1,000 liters. This is a standard metric conversion used worldwide for measuring liquid and bulk material volumes.
How many cubic feet are in a cubic meter?
One cubic meter equals approximately 35.31 cubic feet. This conversion is commonly needed when working with both metric and imperial measurement systems.
What is CBM and how is it used?
CBM stands for Cubic Meter and is the standard unit for measuring cargo volume in international shipping. Freight charges for LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments are typically calculated based on CBM. To calculate CBM, multiply the length, width, and height of your cargo in meters.
How do I convert cubic meters to cubic yards?
Multiply cubic meters by 1.30795 to get cubic yards. For example, 10 m³ × 1.30795 = 13.08 cubic yards. This is essential when working with international plans or ordering materials across measurement systems. Use our calculator for instant conversion.
How many cubic meters are in a cubic yard?
One cubic yard equals approximately 0.7646 cubic meters. To convert cubic meters to cubic yards, multiply by 1.308.
When should I use cubic meters instead of cubic feet?
Cubic meters are the standard volume unit in countries using the metric system (most of the world outside the US). Use cubic meters for international shipping, metric construction plans, and when working with engineers or suppliers who use metric specifications.
How do I calculate cubic meters from centimeters?
Multiply length × width × height in centimeters, then divide by 1,000,000 (100 × 100 × 100). For example, a box 100 × 50 × 40 cm = 200,000 ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.2 cubic meters.