Graph embedding has been known as a powerful tool for implementation of parallel algorithms or simulation of different interconnection networks. Congestion is one of the main optimization objectives in global routing. In this paper, we introduce a technique to obtain a tight bound for congestion of an embedding. Moreover, we give algorithms to compute exact congestion of embedding the hypercubes into the cylinder and the torus and prove that the bound obtained is sharp. © 2015, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.