Chargeable Weight Calculator
Compare gross weight with volumetric weight to find the chargeable weight for air, express, sea or road freight.
How to use the Chargeable Weight Calculator
- Choose the freight mode.
- Enter the piece length and pick its unit.
- Enter the piece width and pick its unit.
- Enter the piece height and pick its unit.
- Enter the number of pieces.
- Enter the total gross weight and pick its unit.
- Press Calculate. The result updates automatically as you type, and you can switch the result unit at any time.
About the Chargeable Weight Calculator
Freight forwarders and airlines bill on chargeable weight so that bulky but light cargo pays for the space it occupies. The ratio depends on the mode: aircraft holds are the most space-constrained, so air uses 1 m³ = 167 kg (the IATA 1:6000 ratio), while express couriers often use 1:5000. Ocean consolidators treat one cubic meter as one metric ton.
Air chargeable weight is normally rounded up to the next half kilogram. Road groupage ratios vary by country and carrier, with 333 kg/m³ common in Europe; some carriers instead charge by loading meter.
Formula
Volume (m³) = L × W × H (m) × pieces
Air: volumetric kg = L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6,000 = m³ × 166.67
Express: L × W × H (cm) ÷ 5,000 = m³ × 200
Chargeable weight = greater of gross and volumetric weight
Sea LCL is charged per revenue ton (W/M): the greater of cubic meters or metric tons. Three 50 × 40 × 30 cm cartons are 0.18 m³, a volumetric air weight of 30 kg, so a 25 kg shipment is charged as 30 kg.
Example calculation
Using the default values:
- Freight mode = Air cargo (1:6000, 167 kg/m³)
- Piece length = 50 cm
- Piece width = 40 cm
- Piece height = 30 cm
- Number of pieces = 3
- Total gross weight = 25 kg
the calculator returns:
- Chargeable weight: 30 kg
- Volumetric weight: 30 kg
- Total volume: 0.18 m³
- Charged on: Volume (the cargo is light for its size)
Frequently asked questions
What is the volumetric factor for air freight?
The standard IATA factor is 6,000 cm³ per kg, which equals 166.67 kg per cubic meter.
What does W/M mean in sea freight?
Weight or measure: the carrier charges for either the weight in metric tons or the volume in cubic meters, whichever is greater.
Why is courier volumetric weight higher than airline cargo?
Couriers use a 5,000 divisor instead of 6,000, which makes the same box 20% heavier on paper.
Last updated: · Category: Shipping & Logistics calculators