Air freight calculator
Chargeable weight calculator
Enter your package dimensions and weights to see actual, volumetric and chargeable weight instantly. Add as many carton sizes as your shipment needs.
Volumetric weight = Length × Width × Height × Number of packages ÷ 6,000 (dimensions in centimetres). Inches and pounds are converted automatically.
Package size
Your result
- Actual weight
- 0.00 kg
- Volumetric weight
- 0.00 kg
Chargeable weight
0.00kg
Most airlines bill in 0.5 kg steps:
- Total packages
- 0
- Total volume
- 0.000 m³
Air freight charges are generally calculated using the higher of actual gross weight and volumetric weight.
Request a QuoteYour calculated weights are added to the quote form automatically.
How it’s calculated
Actual weight or volumetric weight — whichever is higher
Aircraft run out of space before they run out of payload, so airlines charge light, bulky cargo on the space it occupies. Volumetric weight converts that space into kilograms.
Formula (centimetres)
Volumetric weight (kg) = L × W × H × Packages ÷ 6000
Chargeable weight = max(Actual, Volumetric)
Worked example
- Cartons
- 4 × 60 × 40 × 50 cm
- Gross weight
- 4 × 12 kg = 48 kg
- Volumetric weight
- 60 × 40 × 50 × 4 ÷ 6000 = 80 kg
- Chargeable weight
- 80 kg (volumetric applies)
Air freight charges are generally calculated using the higher of actual gross weight and volumetric weight. In this example the cartons are light for their size, so the rate is applied to 80 kg rather than 48 kg.
Tips
Getting an accurate figure
Measure the outer dimensions
Measure each package at its widest points, including pallets and any protruding parts, and round up to the nearest centimetre.
Group identical cartons
Enter one line per carton size with the number of packages. Add a new line for each different size in the shipment.
Reduce empty space
Right-sized cartons and well-built pallets reduce volumetric weight — often the quickest way to lower an air freight bill.
Calculator questions
Why is 6000 used in the formula?
6000 cm³ per kilogram is the standard dimensional factor for air cargo, equivalent to 166.67 kg per cubic metre. Some courier and express services use 5000 instead; we will confirm the factor that applies to your booking.
Is the chargeable weight the final price?
No. Chargeable weight determines how many kilograms the freight rate is applied to. Your quotation will also show origin, documentation and destination charges where they apply.
What if my cargo is on pallets?
Enter the pallet's overall length, width and height including the pallet base, and the total gross weight of the loaded pallet as one package.
Request a quote
Know your chargeable weight? Get a rate.
Send us the dimensions, weight and destination. We'll come back with a routing, a transit estimate and an itemised rate — usually the same working day.