Air freight chargeable weight calculator
Air cargo is billed on the greater of gross weight and volumetric weight. Add your pieces in metric or imperial units to see the chargeable weight, plus the CBM and revenue tons you'd pay on if the same freight moved LCL by ocean.
Short answer: Air chargeable weight is the greater of the shipment's gross weight and its volumetric weight. Under the IATA standard, volumetric weight in kg = length × width × height in centimeters ÷ 6,000 (in inches and pounds, divide cubic inches by 166). For ocean LCL, freight is billed per revenue ton: 1 cubic meter or 1,000 kg, whichever is greater (W/M).
Your pieces
Volumetric weight uses the IATA standard of 6,000 cubic centimeters per kilogram. Weight is per piece and multiplied by the piece count.
Air chargeable weight
Ocean LCL
LCL ocean rates are quoted per revenue ton: 1 CBM or 1,000 kg, whichever gives the larger number. Many LCL rates carry a 1 W/M minimum. This shipment’s density is about 156 kg per CBM; air breaks even with volume at roughly 167.
Airlines and forwarders may use other divisors (some express services use 5,000) and round differently. Check your carrier’s current rules before booking.
How air chargeable weight and LCL revenue tons work
Volume per line
For each line, multiply length × width × height × number of pieces. Measure at the widest points, including the pallet or skid.
Volumetric weight
Total cubic centimeters ÷ 6,000 gives kilograms. In imperial units, total cubic inches ÷ 166 gives pounds. That ratio equals about 167 kg per cubic meter.
Chargeable weight
Compare total gross weight with total volumetric weight and take the larger. In kilograms it is usually rounded up to the next half kilo.
Ocean LCL (W/M)
Ocean consolidators charge per revenue ton: the greater of cubic meters and metric tons. One CBM or 1,000 kg each count as one revenue ton.
Two pallets, 120 × 80 × 100 cm, 150 kg each
Air
- Volume:
120 × 80 × 100 cm × 2 pieces = 1,920,000 cm³ - Volumetric weight:
1,920,000 ÷ 6,000 = 320 kg - Gross weight:
150 kg × 2 = 300 kg - Chargeable weight: the greater of 320 and 300, so
320 kg
Ocean LCL
- Volume:
1,920,000 cm³ ÷ 1,000,000 = 1.92 CBM - Weight:
300 kg = 0.30 metric tons - Revenue tons: the greater of 1.92 and 0.30, so
1.92 W/M, billed on volume
The pallets are about 156 kg per cubic meter, just under air’s break-even of roughly 167, so volume sets the price in both modes.
Frequently asked questions
What is chargeable weight in air freight?
Chargeable weight is the weight an airline or forwarder bills on. It is the greater of the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight, so low-density cargo pays for the space it takes in the aircraft.
Why 6,000?
The IATA standard treats 6,000 cubic centimeters as one kilogram, which works out to about 167 kg per cubic meter. Freight lighter than that is billed on volume. Some express and courier services use 5,000, which raises volumetric weight, so confirm the divisor on your quote.
How do I calculate volumetric weight in inches and pounds?
Multiply length × width × height in inches, multiply by the number of pieces, and divide by 166. The result is volumetric weight in pounds. This calculator converts between units when you switch.
Is chargeable weight figured per piece or per shipment?
For general air cargo it is normally figured on the whole shipment: total gross weight against total volumetric weight. Express parcel services often figure it per package, so check how your carrier applies it.
What does W/M mean in LCL ocean freight?
W/M stands for weight or measure. The consolidator bills on whichever is greater, cubic meters or metric tons. Most LCL freight is billed on volume because it rarely weighs more than 1,000 kg per cubic meter.
When does ocean beat air?
Ocean LCL is far cheaper per kilogram but takes weeks longer port to port. Bulky, low-density freight with a flexible delivery date often belongs on the water. Share your timeline and we'll quote both.
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