Chargeable Weight Calculator
Find air freight chargeable weight.
Air freight factor. Defaults to 5000.
Results update as you type.
How it works
Chargeable weight is the figure air freight carriers actually bill you on, and it is the greater of your shipment's real weight and its volumetric weight. This chargeable weight calculator multiplies your package dimensions in centimetres, divides by the air freight divisor, and compares the result against the actual weight to show both the volumetric weight and the chargeable weight you will pay for. This matters because a light but bulky shipment costs an airline the same cargo space as a heavy one, so carriers charge on whichever is higher: mass or volume. Shippers who quote against actual weight alone are frequently surprised when the freight invoice bills a much higher volumetric figure. Calculating chargeable weight up front lets you compare quotes accurately, choose the right packaging, and forecast air freight costs before booking. The calculation works because the volumetric divisor, typically 5,000 for international air freight in centimetres and kilograms, encodes an assumed density: every 5,000 cubic centimetres counts as one kilogram. Multiplying the dimensions and dividing by the divisor converts volume into a weight the carrier can compare against the scale weight. Taking the maximum reflects the carrier's need to recover either the payload or the space, whichever is more valuable. Exporters, ecommerce sellers, and freight forwarders rely on chargeable weight to price shipments, decide between air and sea, and right-size cartons so they do not pay for empty air on every kilogram shipped.
chargeable = max(actual weight, (L × W × H) ÷ divisor)
Chargeable weight is the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight, where volumetric weight multiplies length, width, and height in centimetres and divides by a divisor, commonly 5,000 for air freight. The formula works because aircraft run out of space before payload for light, bulky cargo, so carriers bill the higher of mass and volume-equivalent weight. Taking the maximum ensures they recover the value of either the weight or the space a shipment consumes, whichever costs them more.
Source:IATA air freight volumetric standard
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter actual weight, length, width and height.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust volumetric divisor if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Chargeable weight updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What divisor should I use for air freight?
The standard international air freight divisor is 5,000 when dimensions are in centimetres and weight in kilograms, which this calculator uses by default. It reflects an industry density of 167 kilograms per cubic metre. Some express carriers use different divisors, such as 6,000, which produces a lower volumetric weight. Always confirm the divisor in your carrier's rate agreement, since a smaller divisor yields a larger, more expensive chargeable weight.
Why is chargeable weight the greater of the two?
Aircraft have limited space and limited payload, and for light, bulky cargo the space runs out first. If carriers billed only by mass, a plane full of oversized, lightweight boxes would earn far less than its capacity is worth. Charging the greater of actual and volumetric weight ensures the carrier recovers the value of whichever resource, weight or space, the shipment consumes more of, which for bulky goods is the volume.
How is volumetric weight different from actual weight?
Actual weight is what the shipment reads on a scale, while volumetric weight expresses how much that shipment's size would weigh at a standard density. A dense, compact box has volumetric weight below its actual weight, so it bills on actual weight. A large, light box has volumetric weight above its actual weight, so it bills on volume. The chargeable weight is simply whichever of the two is larger.
Does chargeable weight apply to sea freight too?
Sea freight uses a related but different approach. Ocean carriers often bill on the greater of weight in tonnes or volume in cubic metres, using a ratio commonly around one tonne per cubic metre, rather than the air divisor. So the principle of charging for weight or space, whichever is greater, carries over, but the specific factor differs. This calculator is set up for air freight; use a CBM-based method for sea shipments.
How can I reduce my chargeable weight?
If your shipment bills on volumetric weight, shrinking the box lowers the charge. Use packaging that fits the goods closely, remove excess void fill, and avoid oversized cartons. Because volumetric weight depends only on dimensions, trimming any side reduces it. If instead you bill on actual weight, the box is already efficient and reducing size will not help. Calculate both figures here to see which lever actually lowers your cost.