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Carra Globe Chargeable Weight Summary carraglobe.com/volumetric-weight-calculator/ ·

Volumetric Weight Calculator 2026

The most advanced free chargeable weight calculator. Compare packing scenarios, get carrier rounding, cost and CO2 estimates, pallet fit and container checks, then share or print the result. Air, road and sea, metric and imperial.

✓ Air, Road & Sea ✓ Scenario Compare ✓ Cost & CO2 ✓ Pallet Fit ✓ Share & Print ✓ No Signup
Carrier / Divisor:
Units:
Formula: (L x W x H cm) ÷ 6000 = volumetric weight kg
⚠ ImportantThis calculator gives an estimated chargeable weight based on commonly used freight divisors. Your carrier, airline or freight forwarder may apply different divisors, rounding rules, minimum charges or dimensional restrictions. Always confirm the applicable tariff before booking.
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Enter Dimensions
Input length, width, height and actual weight for each box, or tap a preset carton or pallet size
⚖
Choose Mode & Carrier
Select air, road or sea freight and your carrier divisor, or enter a custom divisor from your rate card
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Compare & Share
See chargeable weight, cost and CO2, compare packing scenarios, then copy, share or print the result
Package DetailsDraft saved
Compare two packing plans, e.g. loose cartons vs palletised
Results
Chargeable Weight
0.00kg
Enter dimensions above
Scenario comparison (chargeable)
Carrier-rounded (next 0.5 kg up):0.0 kg
Actual Weight
0.00
kg total
Volumetric Weight
0.00
kg total
Total Volume
0.000
CBM (m³)
Density
0.00
kg/m³
Chargeable weight by carrier divisor
Sea Freight CBM and LCL Rating Estimate
Enter package details to see result The calculator will show whether actual or volumetric weight applies.
🚚 This shipment may qualify for a tailored freight rate Consignments of this size are often priced on contracted rates below standard tariffs. Get a tailored quote from Carra Globe.
Estimated Freight Cost (optional, rate per kg)
Total Packages Summary
Boxes: 1 Total pieces: 1 Divisor: 6000
Ready to ship? Carra Globe freight forwarding covers 175+ countries with full customs clearance. Need an Importer of Record? We handle that too. Get a tailored quote for this shipment →
Chargeable weight is always the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight. Carriers round chargeable weight up, typically to the next 0.5 kg. Actual rates depend on your carrier agreement. CO2 figures are indicative averages per tonne-km. This calculator uses standard industry divisors as a guide only.

Watch: Volumetric Weight Explained in 60 Seconds

See how to measure a box correctly and use this calculator to find your chargeable weight before you book.

Carra GlobeVolumetric Weight in 60 Seconds

Volumetric Weight Calculator by Freight Mode and Carrier

Every freight carrier uses a divisor to convert the physical volume of a shipment into a comparable weight. This is because bulky, lightweight shipments take up more space on an aircraft or truck than their actual weight suggests. The carrier charges on whichever is higher: actual weight or volumetric weight.

Freight ModeCarrier / StandardDivisorFormula
Air FreightIATA Standard6000(L x W x H cm) ÷ 6000
Air FreightDHL Express5000(L x W x H cm) ÷ 5000
Air FreightFedEx International5000(L x W x H cm) ÷ 5000
Air FreightUPS Worldwide5000(L x W x H cm) ÷ 5000
Road / CourierStandard Road4000(L x W x H cm) ÷ 4000
Road / CourierTNT / FedEx Road3000(L x W x H cm) ÷ 3000
Sea FreightAll Carriers (CBM)1,000,000(L x W x H cm) ÷ 1,000,000 = CBM

What Is Volumetric Weight and Why Does It Matter?

Volumetric weight, also called dimensional weight or DIM weight, is a pricing method used by air and road freight carriers that accounts for the space a shipment occupies rather than just its physical weight. A large box of cushions may weigh only 10kg but take up the space of 40kg of cargo. The carrier charges on the volumetric weight because that is the resource being consumed: space on the aircraft or truck.

For importers and exporters, understanding volumetric weight is essential for accurate freight budgeting. Underestimating chargeable weight is one of the most common reasons freight costs come in higher than quoted. This volumetric weight calculator shows you exactly which weight applies and by how much, so you can make packaging decisions before the shipment leaves origin.

How to Calculate Volumetric Weight Step by Step

For air freight using the IATA standard divisor of 6000, measure the length, width and height of your package in centimetres. Multiply the three dimensions together to get the volume in cubic centimetres. Divide by 6000 to get the volumetric weight in kilograms. Compare this to the actual weight on the scale. The higher figure is your chargeable weight.

For example a box measuring 80cm x 60cm x 50cm has a volume of 240,000 cubic centimetres. Divided by 6000 gives a volumetric weight of 40kg. If the actual weight is 25kg, you will be charged on 40kg. If the actual weight is 55kg, you will be charged on 55kg.

For sea freight, carriers use cubic metres (CBM) rather than volumetric weight. One CBM is equivalent to 1,000 litres. Sea freight rates are quoted per CBM or per tonne, whichever is greater, using a standard of 1 tonne per CBM as the break-even density.

Common Mistakes When Calculating Volumetric Weight

  • Measuring the inner carton instead of the outer packaging. Carriers measure the outermost point of the package as tendered, including bulges, straps and pallet overhang. Always measure the external dimensions after packing.
  • Forgetting the pallet in both weight and height. A wooden Euro pallet adds roughly 20 to 25kg of actual weight and about 15cm of height, and both count towards your chargeable weight.
  • Using the airline divisor for a courier shipment. Express couriers like DHL, FedEx and UPS typically divide by 5000, not the IATA 6000, so the same box costs more through a courier than the airline standard suggests.
  • Ignoring carrier rounding. Invoices are based on the chargeable weight rounded up, usually to the next 0.5kg, so budgets built on exact figures come in slightly short.
  • Quoting on estimated dimensions. If the actual freight measures larger at the carrier hub, you will be rebilled at the corrected chargeable weight, often with an adjustment fee on top.

Frequently Asked Questions - Volumetric Weight Calculator

What is the standard volumetric weight divisor for air freight?
The IATA standard divisor for international air freight is 6000. This means you divide the volume in cubic centimetres by 6000 to get the volumetric weight in kilograms. However many express couriers including DHL Express, FedEx and UPS use a divisor of 5000 for their own networks, which results in a higher volumetric weight for the same sized package. Always check which divisor your carrier applies before calculating.
Why is my chargeable weight higher than my actual weight?
Your shipment has a low density relative to its size. This is common with products like clothing, cushions, electronics in large retail packaging, furniture components, and plastic goods. The carrier charges on volumetric weight because the space your shipment occupies on the aircraft or truck is the limiting resource. You can reduce chargeable weight by using tighter packaging, removing excess void fill, or consolidating multiple small boxes into fewer larger ones.
How is volumetric weight different for road freight versus air freight?
Road freight carriers typically use a divisor of 3000 or 4000 rather than the air freight standard of 6000. This means the same sized box will have a higher volumetric weight calculation under road freight terms. This reflects the difference in space efficiency between trucks and aircraft. For heavy, dense goods, road freight is almost always calculated on actual weight. For light, bulky goods, volumetric weight applies regardless of mode.
What is CBM and how does sea freight charging work?
CBM stands for cubic metre, which is the standard unit of volume for sea freight. One CBM equals 1,000,000 cubic centimetres. For LCL (Less than Container Load) sea freight, carriers charge per CBM or per tonne of actual weight, whichever is greater. The standard break-even density is 1 tonne per CBM. Goods denser than 1 tonne per CBM are charged by weight. Goods lighter than 1 tonne per CBM are charged by volume.
How do I convert inches and pounds to get volumetric weight?
For imperial measurements, multiply length x width x height in inches to get cubic inches. For air freight, divide by 366 to get volumetric weight in kilograms, or divide by 139 to get volumetric weight in pounds. This is equivalent to the metric calculation using the 6000 divisor. This calculator handles the conversion automatically when you select inches and pounds in the unit toggle.
Do carriers round chargeable weight up?
Yes. Most express couriers and air freight carriers round the chargeable weight up to the next 0.5 kilogram or full kilogram before applying their rate. A calculated chargeable weight of 40.1 kg is typically billed as 40.5 kg or 41 kg depending on the carrier. This calculator shows both the exact figure and the carrier-rounded figure so your freight budget matches the invoice.
Can I calculate chargeable weight for multiple boxes at once?
Yes. Use the Add Another Box button to enter each box or package separately with its own dimensions and actual weight. The calculator totals the actual weight, volumetric weight and CBM across all boxes and determines the overall chargeable weight for the full consignment. Each box also shows its individual result so you can identify which packages are driving up the chargeable weight.
What is an Importer of Record and do I need one for my shipment?
An Importer of Record (IOR) is the legal entity responsible for ensuring goods enter a country in compliance with all local import regulations and for paying applicable customs duties and taxes. If you are shipping goods into a country where you do not have a registered legal entity, you will need an IOR to clear customs. Once you have calculated your chargeable weight and know your freight costs, the next step is confirming who will act as IOR at the destination. Carra Globe provides IOR services in 175+ countries.

Related Services from Carra Globe

Once you have calculated your chargeable weight and know your freight costs, Carra Globe can handle the full import process including customs clearance, duty payment and delivery to final destination.

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