---
title: "Stowage Factor Calculator"
description: "SF = volume ÷ tonnes — check timber parcels against IMO reference ranges."
image: "https://nestingcalc.com/og-default.png"
url: "https://nestingcalc.com/stowage-factor-calculator/"
locale: "en"
---

# Stowage Factor Calculator

SF = volume ÷ tonnes — check timber parcels against IMO reference ranges.

Enter the total volume and total mass of your timber parcel. The calculator returns the stowage factor in m³/t and highlights which IMO CSS Code reference ranges for wood cargoes (sawn timber, tropical logs, plywood, flat-pack) your shipment falls into.

Interactive calculator (open in browser): [https://nestingcalc.com/stowage-factor-calculator/](https://nestingcalc.com/stowage-factor-calculator/)

## FAQ

What is the stowage factor?

The stowage factor (SF) is the volume in cubic metres occupied by one metric tonne of cargo: SF = total m³ ÷ total tonnes. Fresh tropical hardwood logs typically stow at 1.3–2.8 m³/t, while sawn timber with square ends runs 1.8–3.4 m³/t.

Why does the stowage factor matter for timber shipping?

Ships and charterers price freight per tonne but load by volume. A parcel with a high SF fills the hold before reaching the deadweight limit, so it pays for unused capacity. Comparing your SF against the IMO reference ranges shows whether your parcel is typical for its cargo type.

How do I convert stowage factor to cargo density?

Cargo density in kg/m³ is simply 1000 ÷ SF. A stowage factor of 1.4 m³/t equals ≈714 kg/m³ — dense enough to hit container weight limits before the volume fills (a 40' high cube balances at about 390 kg/m³).

## Related calculators

-   [Container Loading Calculator](https://nestingcalc.com/container-loading-calculator/)

    How many cartons fit before cube-out or weigh-out — 20GP, 40GP, 40HC.

-   [Lumber Weight Calculator (kg/m³)](https://nestingcalc.com/lumber-weight-calculator/)

    Weight of any board by species and size, dry or green — density table for 18 species included. Free.

-   [Green Log Weight Calculator](https://nestingcalc.com/log-weight-calculator/)

    Weight of round timber at any moisture content, by species — Wood Handbook 2021 data.

## Related guides

-   [Stowage Factor for Timber Cargo: IMO Ranges and How to Use Them](https://nestingcalc.com/guides/stowage-factor-timber-cargo/)

    Stowage factor = m³ per tonne: what it tells you about a ship's hold or container, the IMO CSS Code Table 4.1 ranges for wood cargo, a worked example and timber deck cargo basics.

-   [The Material Order Checklist: Before You Buy Steel, Wood or Tile](https://nestingcalc.com/guides/material-order-checklist/)

    Ten minutes of checking before the order saves a second trip to the supplier.

-   [Lumber Weight by Species: Charts, Moisture and Truck Payload](https://nestingcalc.com/guides/lumber-weight-chart/)

    A load of green oak and a load of dry spruce are two different trucks. Species density, moisture content and payload limits — how they add up.

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