Air Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator
Enter your air cargo pieces to compare gross weight with volumetric weight. The greater of the two is the chargeable weight.
Results
Next steps with this cargo
Assumptions
The default planning divisor is 6000 cm³ per kg (1 CBM ≈ 166.67 kg). Airlines and forwarders can use a different divisor, so it stays editable.
Chargeable weight is the greater of total gross weight and total volumetric weight. Airline rounding rules and minimum charges are not applied.
How the Air Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator works
Enter every piece size with its quantity and gross weight. The calculator totals the pieces, the volume and the gross weight, converts the volume to a volumetric weight with the divisor and takes the greater of the two as the chargeable weight. The workings show which basis applies and why.
Formula
Volumetric weight (kg) = L (cm) × W (cm) × H (cm) ÷ 6000 × pieces Chargeable weight = max(gross weight, volumetric weight) 6000 cm³/kg ⇔ 1 CBM ≈ 166.67 kg
Worked example
4 pieces of 120 × 80 × 100 cm, 150 kg each Volume = 4 × 0.96 m³ = 3.84 m³ Volumetric = 3.84 × 166.67 = 640 kg Gross weight = 4 × 150 kg = 600 kg Chargeable weight = 640 kg (volumetric)
When to use it
- Before asking for an air freight quote, to know the weight you will be charged on.
- Checking an air waybill or invoice.
- Deciding whether repacking or a different mode would lower the cost.
Limitations
6000 cm³/kg is a common planning divisor, not a universal one; enter the figure your airline or forwarder uses. Carriers round chargeable weight in their own way, and surcharges, minimum charges and rates are not included. To compare the result with sea freight, start with the CBM Calculator and the LCL Freight Calculator.
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Frequently asked questions
How is air freight chargeable weight calculated?
The volume in cubic centimetres is divided by the divisor (6000 by default) to get the volumetric weight, which is compared with the gross weight. The greater is the chargeable weight.
Why is 1 CBM about 167 kg in air freight?
With a 6000 cm³/kg divisor, 1,000,000 cm³ ÷ 6000 = 166.67 kg.
Does the calculator round the chargeable weight?
It shows the calculated figure. Carriers apply their own rounding, often up to the next half or whole kilogram, so the invoiced figure can be slightly higher.