How volumetric weight is calculated
Carriers sell space as well as weight. A carton of pillows weighs little but fills a lot of the aircraft, so it is billed as if it weighed more. That notional figure is the volumetric weight:
Length x Width x Height (cm) / divisor = volumetric weight (kg)
- 5,000 for express courier and parcel services.
- 6,000 for standard air cargo booked through a forwarder, which is what our air freight uses.
- Sea freight uses the revenue tonne: 1 CBM is treated as 1,000 kg, so the cargo pays on whichever is greater, cubic metres or tonnes.
The chargeable weight is then the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Couriers usually round it up to the next 0.5 kg, and airlines to the next 0.5 or 1 kg, so a 19.2 kg result is billed as 19.5 kg.
A worked example
One carton measures 60 x 40 x 40 cm and weighs 10 kg. Its volume is 96,000 cm3, or 0.096 CBM.
| Service | Volumetric weight | Chargeable weight |
|---|---|---|
| Express courier (5,000) | 19.2 kg | 19.2 kg (volumetric) |
| Air cargo (6,000) | 16 kg | 16 kg (volumetric) |
| Sea freight (1 CBM = 1,000 kg) | 96 kg | 0.096 CBM, usually a 1 CBM minimum for LCL |
The same carton costs more to fly than its 10 kg suggests, which is why bulky, low value goods usually travel by sea. Our air vs ocean freight guide compares the two.
How to lower your chargeable weight
- Use the smallest carton that protects the goods; measure the outside of the box at its widest points.
- Combine small parcels into one carton or onto one pallet, and include the pallet in your measurements.
- Ship bulky, light goods by sea, where 1 CBM counts as a full tonne before weight matters.
- Consolidate several suppliers' goods in Dubai so you pay for one shipment, not many small ones.
Frequently asked questions
What is volumetric weight?
Volumetric weight, also called dimensional weight, is a weight worked out from the size of a package rather than from the scale. Carriers use it so that large, light parcels pay for the space they take up on a vehicle, aircraft or ship.
How do I calculate volumetric weight?
Multiply length by width by height in centimetres, then divide by the carrier divisor: 5,000 for most express couriers or 6,000 for standard air cargo. A 60 x 40 x 40 cm carton is 96,000 cm3, so its volumetric weight is 19.2 kg at 5,000 or 16 kg at 6,000.
Should I divide by 5,000 or 6,000?
Use 5,000 for express courier services and 6,000 for general air cargo booked through a forwarder, unless your carrier states another figure. The lower divisor gives a higher volumetric weight, so always check which one your quote uses.
What is chargeable weight?
Chargeable weight is the figure your freight is billed on: the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Dense cargo is billed on its actual weight; bulky, light cargo is billed on its volumetric weight.
How do I calculate volumetric weight in inches and pounds?
Measure in inches and multiply length by width by height. Dividing cubic inches by about 139 gives pounds at the 5,000 metric divisor, and by about 166 at the 6,000 divisor. This calculator converts inches and pounds for you, so the result matches the metric calculation.
How is volumetric weight worked out for sea freight?
Shared sea freight (LCL) is charged per revenue tonne, which is the greater of the cargo volume in cubic metres and its weight in metric tonnes. In effect 1 CBM counts as 1,000 kg, which is the same as dividing cm3 by 1,000.
Is chargeable weight worked out per package or for the whole shipment?
It depends on the carrier. Many compare the total actual weight with the total volumetric weight of the shipment, while others take the greater figure for each piece and add them up. The calculator shows both totals so you can see if the difference matters for your cargo.