Chargeable Weight Calculator: Air Cargo
Compare gross and volume weight for air cargo or courier shipments and get the chargeable weight the airline or courier will bill.
Chargeable weight
80kg
Charged by: volume weight
Volume
0.48m³
Gross weight
56kg
Volume weight
80kg
Chargeable weight = the greater of gross weight and L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000 × pieces, rounded up to 0.5 kg
How chargeable weight is calculated
Airlines and couriers bill by chargeable weight: the greater of the actual gross weight and the volume (dimensional) weight. Light, bulky cargo is charged by the space it takes, not by what it weighs.
How chargeable weight is calculated
- Volume weight per piece = length × width × height in cm ÷ 6000 (IATA air cargo) or ÷ 5000 (most express couriers).
- Multiply by the number of pieces and add up.
- Compare with the total gross weight; the higher one is chargeable.
- Round up to the next half kilogram.
Example: 4 cartons of 60 × 50 × 40 cm, 14 kg each. Volume weight = 120,000 ÷ 6000 × 4 = 80 kg; gross weight = 56 kg; chargeable weight = 80 kg.
Volume factors
| Service | Divisor | 1 CBM equals |
|---|---|---|
| Air cargo (IATA) | 6000 | 166.67 kg |
| Express courier | 5000 | 200 kg |
| Road freight (common) | 3000 | 333 kg |
To price the shipment, use the air freight calculator; for parcels in inches and pounds, the dimensional weight calculator.
Copy the result, or save it as a PDF to attach to an email or a purchase file. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Features
- IATA 6000 or courier 5000
- Several piece types
- Gross vs volume weight
- Rounded up to 0.5 kg
- Total CBM
- Excel and PDF
Frequently asked questions
What is chargeable weight in air freight?
The weight the airline bills: the higher of the gross weight and the volume weight (L × W × H in cm ÷ 6000).
Why 6000?
IATA's standard assumes 1 cubic meter of cargo weighs 166.67 kg; 1,000,000 cm³ ÷ 6000 = 166.67.
How can I lower the chargeable weight?
Use the smallest box that protects the goods, avoid empty space, and combine pieces on one pallet where it helps.
Is the calculator free?
Yes. No sign up. It runs in your browser, and you can copy the result or save it as a PDF.