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Volumetric weight, every mode at once.
Enter your carton size and weight to see the volumetric and chargeable weight for air freight, express courier, road and sea LCL side by side.
Why carriers charge for space
An aircraft hold or a courier van fills up by volume long before it reaches its weight limit if the cargo is light and bulky. So carriers compare the actual weight with a volumetric weight worked out from the dimensions, and charge whichever is higher.
Measure the packed piece, including pallets, bulges and handles, and round up to the nearest centimetre. Carriers re-measure at the hub and bill the difference.
Cut the volume, not just the weight. Right-sized cartons, removing void fill and consolidating pieces often save more than lighter packaging.
For the full method, ULD types and density, read our air freight chargeable weight guide. Comparing air and sea? Try the FCL vs LCL cost calculator.
Get an air or courier quoteFrequently asked questions
How do you calculate volumetric weight?
Multiply length × width × height in centimetres and divide by the carrier's divisor: 6,000 for air freight under the IATA standard and usually 5,000 for express couriers. Carriers charge the higher of the volumetric weight and the actual gross weight.
Why do express couriers use 5,000 instead of 6,000?
A smaller divisor gives a higher volumetric weight, reflecting the space light parcels take up in express networks. Most international express carriers use 5,000 cm³ per kg, but always check your carrier's current terms.
How is LCL sea freight charged?
LCL is charged per weight or measure (W/M): each cubic metre is treated as 1,000 kg, and the higher of cubic metres and tonnes is billed, usually with a minimum of one W/M.
Reference: IATA rules for volumetric weight in air cargo.
Guides on this topic
Air Freight Chargeable Weight, Density and ULDs Explained
Why airlines bill the greater of actual and volumetric weight, how the IATA 6,000 divisor works, and how density, ULDs and DG rules shape air cargo cost.
OCEAN FREIGHTFCL vs LCL: How to Choose the Right Ocean Freight Option
Revenue tonnes, CFS charges, cube utilisation and dwell time: a practical framework for deciding between full and shared container loads.
SUSTAINABILITYMeasuring Freight Emissions: GLEC Framework and ISO 14083 in Practice
How logistics emissions are calculated, well-to-wheel vs tank-to-wheel, and what IMO targets, EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime mean for shippers.
Know businesses that import or export?
Refer them to Apex Ocean Lines. We quote, book and manage the freight, and you earn commission on the shipments they move with us. Open to referral partners, sales agents and overseas forwarders.
Indicative only. Carriers set their own divisors, rounding and re-measurement rules; their invoice prevails. Legal disclaimer With your permission we keep anonymous, cookieless usage statistics for our tools: Privacy.