Dimensional weight calculator
Carriers charge on the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. Enter your package dimensions and actual weight to see the chargeable weight for air freight, express couriers, U.S. domestic parcels and ocean LCL side by side.
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The formula, in plain terms.
- Air freight: volumetric kg = length × width × height (cm) ÷ 6,000
- Express couriers: volumetric kg = length × width × height (cm) ÷ 5,000
- U.S. domestic parcel: volumetric lb = length × width × height (in) ÷ 139
- Ocean LCL: revenue ton = the greater of cubic metres or tonnes (1 m³ = 1,000 kg)
- Chargeable weight = the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight
A box of 60 × 40 × 40 cm weighing 12 kg has a volume of 96,000 cm³. Air freight volumetric weight is 16.0 kg, so 16.0 kg is chargeable. An express courier using 5,000 gives 19.2 kg. For ocean LCL the box is 0.096 m³, which exceeds 0.012 tonnes, so it is charged on measurement.
Assumptions and limits
- Each carrier publishes its own divisor. The values here are common defaults; use the divisor on your carrier's rate sheet if it differs.
- Air chargeable weight is commonly rounded up to the next 0.5 kg, shown here as well.
- Dimensions should be the outermost measurements of the package as tendered.
Common questions
What is dimensional weight?
Dimensional (volumetric) weight is a weight-equivalent calculated from a package's size. It reflects the space the package occupies on an aircraft or vehicle.
How is chargeable weight decided?
Carriers compare actual weight with volumetric weight and charge on whichever is greater.
Why do air and express use different divisors?
Air freight commonly uses 6,000 cm³ per kg and many express couriers use 5,000. A smaller divisor produces a higher volumetric weight, so express shipments of bulky goods can cost more.
What is weight or measure for ocean freight?
For LCL cargo, one cubic metre is treated as one tonne, and the carrier charges on whichever of the actual tonnes or the cubic metres is greater.
Chargeable weight without the spreadsheet.
Intelicargo carries item dimensions and weights through quoting and documents, so chargeable weight comes from the data already entered.