Volumetric Weight Calculator
Calculate chargeable weight for air freight
Air Freight Essential
Volumetric Weight Calculator
Calculate chargeable weight for air freight shipments. Understand how carriers price lightweight bulky cargo and optimize your packaging for cost savings.
Volumetric Weight
10.00 kg
Actual Weight
5.00 kg
Chargeable Weight
10.00 kg
Weight Type
Volumetric+100%
Package Dimensions
Enter dimensions to calculate volumetric weight for air freight
Different carriers use different divisors for calculating volumetric weight
Chargeable WeightVolumetric
10.00 kg
This is the weight you'll be charged for
Actual Weight
5.00 kg
Volumetric Weight
10.00 kg
You're being charged for volume, not actual weight. Consider optimizing packaging.
Calculation Details
Volumetric Weight = (L × W × H) ÷ Divisor
= (50 × 40 × 30) ÷ 6000
= 10.00 kg
Chargeable Weight = Max(Volumetric, Actual)
= Max(10.00, 5.00) = 10.00 kg
Weight Comparison Chart
Visual comparison of actual, volumetric, and chargeable weights
What is Volumetric Weight?
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) is a calculated weight based on a package's dimensions rather than its actual weight. Airlines use this method because large, lightweight packages take up significant cargo space but don't generate revenue proportional to their volume.
The chargeable weight is always the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight, ensuring carriers are compensated for the space used.
Calculation Formula
Volumetric Weight (kg) = (L × W × H) ÷ Divisor
Dimensions in centimeters
Example: 50cm × 40cm × 30cm ÷ 6000
= 60,000 ÷ 6000 = 10 kg
IATA standard divisor is 6000. Some carriers use 5000 (DHL Express), resulting in higher volumetric weight.
Carrier Divisors
IATA Standard6000
DHL Express5000
FedEx International6000
UPS International6000
TNT Express6000
Pro Tips
- •Compare divisors across carriers for best rates on lightweight cargo
- •Optimize packaging to reduce volumetric weight
- •Dense cargo (high weight, low volume) is often cheaper by air
- •Consider sea freight for large, lightweight shipments
- •Use standard box sizes to optimize space utilization
Common Mistakes
- ✗Not checking which divisor your carrier uses
- ✗Forgetting to include packaging in dimensions
- ✗Using inches without converting to centimeters
- ✗Ignoring dimensional weight for rate comparison
- ✗Overlooking density considerations for mode selection
Frequently Asked Questions