Enter each kind of package once: how many, their size and what one weighs. The calculator compares the gross weight with the volumetric weight and shows which one the carrier charges.
Volumetric factor: 1:6,000 (≈ 167 kg per m³)
Pieces
3
Total volume
2.880 m³
Gross weight
255.0 kg
Volumetric weight
480.0 kg
Chargeable weight
480.0 kg
The cargo is light for its size: it is charged by volume.
Carriers charge for the space cargo takes as well as its weight. They turn the volume into a volumetric weight and charge whichever is higher, the volumetric or the actual gross weight: that is the chargeable weight.
Volumetric weight = length × width × height (cm) ÷ divisor, for every piece, added up. The divisor depends on how the cargo travels: 6,000 for air freight (IATA), 5,000 for most courier and express services, 3,000 for road freight. Sea LCL uses weight or measure (W/M): one cubic metre counts as 1,000 kg.
3 pallets of 120 × 80 × 100 cm, 85 kg each, by air:
Chargeable weight is the weight a carrier bills you for: the higher of the actual gross weight and the volumetric (dimensional) weight. Light but bulky cargo is charged by its volume, dense cargo by its real weight.
Multiply length × width × height of each piece in centimetres, then divide by 6,000 (the IATA standard). That is the same as 166.67 kg for every cubic metre; many forwarders round it to 167 kg per m³. Air and courier chargeable weights are then rounded up to the next half kilo.
Express and courier companies such as DHL, FedEx, UPS and Aramex usually divide by 5,000 (200 kg per m³), which makes bulky parcels heavier on the invoice. Some use other divisors for certain services, so check the carrier’s rate sheet.
Sea LCL is charged per revenue ton, weight or measure (W/M): 1 cubic metre counts as 1,000 kg, and you pay for whichever is higher, the cargo’s tonnes or its cubic metres. 2.5 m³ weighing 800 kg is charged as 2.5 revenue tons.
Road freight in many markets uses 1:3,000, about 333 kg per cubic metre. Others charge per loading metre or per pallet place, so use the factor in your transporter’s tariff.
This calculator adds up the volume and weight of all pieces, then compares the totals, which is how most air waybills are rated. Some carriers compare piece by piece; the difference is usually small.
Pallego
Pallego works out the chargeable weight on every enquiry, quote and job as soon as you enter the packages.
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