Calculate air freight chargeable weight from actual gross weight and volumetric weight, with per-carton dimension inputs. Chargeable weight = the greater of actual and volumetric weight. Useful for checking quotes from freight forwarders.
CBM = L(cm) × W(cm) × H(cm) ÷ 1,000,000 × Pieces
Actual Weight = Weight per piece × Pieces
Volumetric Weight = CBM × Factor (Air: 167, Sea: 1000, Road: 333)
Chargeable Weight = max(Actual Weight, Volumetric Weight)
One box of 80 × 60 × 50 cm weighing 10 kg, sent by air → CBM = 0.24 m³ → volumetric weight = 40.1 kg → chargeable weight = 40.1 kg (volumetric, because it is larger than the actual 10 kg)
Sea freight (LCL) is priced per revenue tonne: each cubic metre counts as 1,000 kg, and you pay on whichever is greater, the volume or the actual weight. Most cargo is lighter than 1,000 kg per cubic metre — cartons of retail goods, furniture, textiles — so it is charged on its volume; only dense cargo such as steel parts or stone tiles is charged on its weight. For example, 1 m³ weighing 200 kg is charged as 1,000 kg, while 1 m³ weighing 1,500 kg is charged as 1,500 kg.
Most IATA airlines use 1 kg = 6,000 cm³, equivalent to 167 kg/m³. Some carriers and premium services use 1 kg = 5,000 cm³ (200 kg/m³). Always confirm the exact factor with your airline or freight forwarder before booking, as it directly determines your freight cost.
Road freight typically uses 1 CBM = 333 kg (the 1:3 rule). That sits between air and sea: a cubic metre counts as more weight by road than by air (167 kg) and less than by sea (1,000 kg). Some road freight operators use different factors depending on the vehicle type, load type, or route.
Use packaging that fits tightly around the product, eliminating wasted cubic space. Consolidate multiple items into one shipment. Remove unnecessary packaging inserts. If the shipment is not urgent, ask for a sea or road quote as well: both charge on volume too, but for bulky goods their rates are usually far below air.
The Shipping CBM calculator takes the total weight of the whole shipment and always applies the air-freight factor of 167 kg/m³. This one takes the weight of one piece, multiplies it by the number of pieces, and lets you pick the air, sea or road factor — so you can see how the same cargo would be billed by each mode.
Open the free Chargeable Weight Calculator now, or browse the full business calculator suite.
