Air Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator
Determine air cargo volumetric weight and billable chargeable weight using standard IATA conventions.
Live Calculation Results
Chargeable weight
Dimensional weight is greater than actual weight.
- Confirm the divisor and rounding rules used by your airline, forwarder, or service.
- Total gross weight
- 300.00 kg661.39 lb
- Total volumetric weight
- 320.00 kg705.48 lb
- Chargeable weight
- 320.00 kg705.48 lb
What this means
- Dimensional weight is greater than actual weight.
- Space, not scale weight, drives the charge. Reducing package size would reduce the total volumetric weight.
- Totals for the whole shipment were compared.
| Row | Pieces | Measured Actual | Unrounded Quotient | Calculated Dimensional | Rated Billable | Governing Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Row 1 | 2 | 300.00 | 320.00 | 320.00 | 320.00 | Dimensional weight |
Assumptions used
- Divisor 6,000 cm³ per kg (6,000 cm³/kg (IATA general air cargo TACT Rule 3.9.4 planning reference)).
- Dimensions were not rounded before multiplying.
- Billable weight was rounded up to the next 0.5 kg.
- Reference: IATA (International Air Transport Association). Reference check 2026-10-06 (secondary cross-check). Not universal. Express air services, domestic air cargo, and specific airline tariffs may use 5,000 or custom divisors. Rounding up to 0.5 kg increments is typical but subject to carrier tariff.
Calculate CBM for the same cargo →How chargeable weight works →
Planning Notice & Scope Boundary
Confirm the divisor and rounding rules used by your airline, forwarder, or service before booking.
Formula & Calculation Methodology
Volumetric Weight = (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ Divisor. Chargeable Weight = max(Gross Weight, Volumetric Weight).
Volumetric Weight (kg) = Volume (cm³) / 6000| Variable | Definition & Basis |
|---|---|
| Gross Weight | Actual scale weight in kg |
| Volumetric Weight | Volume in cm³ divided by 6,000 (IATA convention) or 5,000 (express) |
| Chargeable Weight | The higher weight used for airline billing |
Worked Example: Commercial Air Cargo Consignment (3 Boxes)
3 export cartons measuring 100 × 60 × 50 cm each, weighing 40 kg each (120 kg total gross weight).
Input Parameters
- Cartons3 cartons @ 100 × 60 × 50 cm
- Gross Weight40 kg each (120 kg total)
- Volumetric Divisor6,000 cm³/kg (IATA standard)
Step-by-Step Calculation Breakdown
- 1Volume per carton: 100 × 60 × 50 = 300,000 cm³.
- 2Total volume: 300,000 cm³ × 3 = 900,000 cm³ (0.90 CBM).
- 3Volumetric weight: 900,000 ÷ 6,000 = 150.0 kg.
- 4Compare against actual weight (120.0 kg): max(120.0, 150.0) = 150.0 kg.
Assumptions Used
- Standard general air cargo uses the 1:6 ratio (1 CBM = 167 kg, divisor 6,000 cm³/kg).
- Shipment-level calculation compares aggregate actual weight against aggregate volumetric weight.
Important Limitations
- Airlines and express couriers may use different divisors (e.g. 5,000 cm³/kg for express).
- Rounding rules (e.g. rounding to whole or half kg) vary by carrier tariff.
Authoritative Standards & Sources
Air cargo volumetric weight convention — 6,000 cm³ per kg ↗
The 6,000 cm³/kg figure is the commonly referenced IATA convention for general air cargo. Many express services use 5,000 cm³/kg.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IATA volumetric ratio for air freight?
The standard IATA volumetric ratio is 1:6, meaning 1 cubic meter of cargo equals 166.67 kilograms of volumetric weight (using a divisor of 6,000 cm³ per kg).
What is chargeable weight?
Chargeable weight is the figure airlines and air forwarders use to calculate the freight charge. It is whichever is greater between gross scale weight and volumetric weight.
What to Calculate Next
Freight planning connects sequentially from package dimensions to freight class, pallets, and full equipment: