Air Freight Volumetric Weight Calculator
Calculate air freight volumetric weight using the IATA 6000 cm³/kg standard, then compare it against actual weight to find the chargeable weight.
How air freight volumetric weight works
Air freight is billed on the greater of actual (gross) weight and volumetric weight. The IATA standard converts volume to a chargeable weight with a fixed divisor:
Volumetric weight (kg) = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ 6000
The IATA air-freight divisor is 6000 cm³/kg, equivalent to about 166 in³/lb. An equivalent shortcut is 1 CBM = 167 kg of volumetric weight. Measure to the longest points in centimetres, multiply, then divide by 6000.
Worked example (page defaults)
Using the default 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton:
- Cubic size: 60 × 40 × 40 = 96,000 cm³
- Volumetric weight: 96,000 ÷ 6000 = 16 kg
Cross-check with the CBM ratio: 96,000 cm³ is 0.096 CBM, and 0.096 × 167 ≈ 16.0 kg, the two methods agree. If this box actually weighs 11 kg, the 16 kg volumetric weight is chargeable; if it weighed 20 kg, the 20 kg actual weight would govern instead.
Divisor reference
| Carrier / standard | Divisor | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Air freight (IATA) | 6000 cm³/kg | 1 CBM = 167 kg |
| DHL Express | 5000 cm³/kg | ≈ 139 in³/lb |
| FedEx / UPS international | 5000 cm³/kg | ≈ 139 in³/lb |
| Sea / LCL ratio | - | 1 CBM = 1000 kg |
The 6000 divisor is more forgiving than the 5000 used by express couriers, so the same carton converts to a lower volumetric weight on general air freight than on DHL Express. Sea freight uses an entirely different convention (1 CBM = 1000 kg), which is why low-density goods are usually cheaper to move by sea.
Managing the chargeable weight
With the divisor fixed, the volume of every piece is what you control. Reducing void space and consolidating loose cartons lowers total cubic size and the volumetric figure. To see actual versus volumetric resolve into one number, use the chargeable weight calculator. The DHL volumetric weight calculator shows the stricter 5000 divisor, the volumetric weight calculator toggles between standards, and dimensional weight explained covers the underlying idea.