Logistics Unit Converter

Convert the units that come up every day in freight and warehousing — weight, length, volume, density and temperature — with exact conversion factors. Every result is shown in all units at once.

Result
—

In all units

Exact conversion factors used

All conversions use the internationally defined values, so results match carrier and customs systems to many decimal places:

ConversionFactor
1 pound (lb)0.45359237 kg (exact) — 1 kg = 2.20462 lb
1 inch2.54 cm (exact)
1 foot30.48 cm (exact)
1 cubic metre (CBM)35.3147 ft³ = 1,000 litres
1 cubic foot0.0283168 m³ = 28.317 litres
1 short ton (US)2,000 lb = 907.185 kg
1 long ton (UK)2,240 lb = 1,016.05 kg
1 metric tonne1,000 kg = 2,204.62 lb
1 lb/ft³16.0185 kg/m³
US gallon / UK gallon3.78541 L / 4.54609 L

Temperature conversion for cold chain

°F = °C × 9/5 + 32 °C = (°F − 32) × 5/9

Common reefer set points: frozen goods are typically carried at −18 °C (−0.4 °F) or colder, deep-frozen seafood and ice cream at −25 to −30 °C (−13 to −22 °F), chilled meat and dairy around 0 to +4 °C (32 to 39.2 °F), and many fruits between +2 and +13 °C depending on the commodity. Always follow the shipper’s set-point instructions on the booking.

Worked examples

  • Weight: a 1,000 kg pallet is 1,000 ÷ 0.45359237 = 2,204.62 lb.
  • Length: a 48-inch pallet is 48 × 2.54 = 121.92 cm.
  • Volume: 2.5 CBM is 2.5 × 35.3147 = 88.29 ft³.
  • Temperature: −18 °C is −18 × 1.8 + 32 = −0.4 °F.

Why tons can be confusing

“Ton” means different things in different places. In international shipping and most of the world it is the metric tonne (1,000 kg). In the US a ton is usually the short ton (2,000 lb), while the UK’s traditional long ton is 2,240 lb and is still used for ship displacement. A cargo of 20 “tons” can differ by more than 2 metric tonnes depending on which is meant, so state the unit on quotes and bookings.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert kg to lb?

Multiply kilograms by 2.20462. For example, 500 kg x 2.20462 = 1,102.31 lb. To go from lb to kg, multiply by 0.45359237.

How many cubic feet are in a cubic metre?

One cubic metre (CBM) equals 35.3147 cubic feet.

What is -18 °C in Fahrenheit?

-18 °C equals -0.4 °F. Minus 18 Celsius is the standard temperature for frozen food storage and transport.

What is the difference between a tonne and a ton?

A metric tonne is 1,000 kg. A US short ton is 2,000 lb (907.2 kg) and a UK long ton is 2,240 lb (1,016 kg).

How do I convert density from lb/ft³ to kg/m³?

Multiply by 16.0185. For example, a freight density of 10 lb/ft³ is about 160 kg/m³.