Choosing between a full container (FCL) and shared consolidated space (LCL) comes down to one number: your shipment volume relative to the break-even point. This tool totals the real all-in cost of each option for the volume you actually need to move and tells you which is cheaper — and by how much.
FCL vs LCL: what you are actually comparing
With FCL you rent the entire container. The total cost is fixed regardless of how much space you fill, so the more you load, the lower the effective cost per CBM. But if you only half-fill a 40ft box, you pay for the empty space.
With LCL you pay only for the space your cargo occupies, typically quoted per revenue tonne (the greater of 1 CBM or 1,000 kg). The rate per CBM is higher than FCL’s effective rate once the container is full, but for small shipments you pay much less.
How it works
FCL is a fixed price for the whole box, so its effective cost per CBM falls as you load more cargo. LCL is a flat rate per cubic metre, so its total rises linearly with volume. The break-even is where the two lines cross:
fcl_per_cbm = fcl_all_in / usable_capacity_cbm
lcl_total = lcl_rate_per_cbm × shipment_cbm
fcl_total = fcl_all_in (one container, fixed)
break_even = fcl_all_in / lcl_rate_per_cbm (CBM)Below the break-even CBM, paying LCL per cubic metre is cheaper than buying a whole container. Above it, the fixed container price is spread over enough cargo to beat the per-CBM rate.
Standard container usable capacities
| Container | Nominal CBM | Typical usable CBM |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | ~33 | 25 – 28 |
| 40ft standard | ~67 | 55 – 60 |
| 40ft high cube | ~76 | 65 – 68 |
Use realistic usable CBM — not the nominal figure — to get an honest FCL cost per CBM and an accurate break-even.
Worked example
For example: a 40ft container quoted all-in at $2,400 with 58 CBM usable, and LCL running at $60 per CBM.
- Break-even = 2,400 / 60 = 40 CBM
- A 30 CBM shipment: LCL = $1,800 vs FCL = $2,400 → LCL saves $600
- A 45 CBM shipment: LCL = $2,700 vs FCL = $2,400 → FCL saves $300
As a practical rule of thumb, once you fill more than roughly two-thirds of a container’s usable capacity, FCL becomes the better deal on cost. And beyond cost, FCL removes the deconsolidation step at destination — which means faster clearance and lower risk of damage or loss.
When to choose FCL even below break-even
The pure cost comparison does not capture everything. FCL may be the better choice when:
- Cargo is fragile or high-value — no other freight is packed alongside yours, so handling risk is lower.
- Transit time is critical — LCL shipments wait at an origin CFS for consolidation and are deconsolidated at destination, adding days.
- Confidentiality matters — FCL does not expose your cargo alongside a consolidator’s other clients.
Always include origin and destination CFS handling fees in your LCL quote before comparing.