Chargeable Weight Calculator
Find the chargeable weight your carrier actually bills — the greater of actual and dimensional weight. Enter dimensions and a divisor, add the real weight, and see which one governs, in pounds and kilograms.
Chargeable weight
16.9 kg
Actual
15
lb
Dimensional
37.3
lb
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Estimates only — confirm the divisor and chargeable weight with your carrier.
Actual vs dimensional — which wins
Every shipment has two weights: what it weighs on a scale, and what it “weighs” by volume. Carriers bill the larger one:
For air and LCL sea freight this is the figure your rate is based on. Need just the volume-based number? See the dimensional weight calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is chargeable weight?
Chargeable weight is the weight a carrier actually bills you for — the greater of the shipment's actual weight and its dimensional (volumetric) weight. Light, bulky freight is billed on volume; dense freight on actual weight.
How do you calculate chargeable weight?
Work out the dimensional weight (volume ÷ divisor), then compare it to the actual scale weight. The larger of the two is the chargeable weight. This calculator does both and tells you which one governs.
What divisor is used for air freight?
Air freight typically uses 6,000 cm³/kg (the IATA volumetric factor); express services sometimes use 5,000. That means 1 CBM of air cargo is about 167 kg of chargeable weight at the 6,000 factor.
Why is my chargeable weight higher than actual weight?
Because your shipment is low-density — it takes more space than its weight suggests. The dimensional weight exceeds the actual weight, so the carrier bills the dimensional figure. Denser packing or a smaller box lowers it.