Chargeable Weight Calculator
Freight is billed on its chargeable weight: the actual weight or the volumetric weight, whichever is greater. Add your pieces below to see the chargeable weight by air, sea, rail and road at once, which one governs, and a rough cost if you have a rate.
Air chargeable weight
2 pieces · 0.96 m³ · actual 300 kg
1:6 · 1 m³ = 166.7 kg · volumetric 160 kg · actual weight governs
1:1 · billed per W/M · volumetric 960 kg · volume governs
1:3 · 1 m³ = 333.3 kg · volumetric 320 kg · volume governs
1:3 · varies by carrier · volumetric 320 kg · volume governs
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Estimates only. Your forwarder's ratios, rounding and minimums decide the final bill.
How to calculate chargeable weight
chargeable weight = the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight
Example (loaded above): two crates of 120 × 80 × 50 cm, each weighing 150 kg. Together they are 0.96 m³ and 300 kg.
| Mode | Volumetric | Chargeable | Decided by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air (÷6,000) | 160 kg | 300 kg | actual weight |
| Rail (÷3,000) | 320 kg | 320 kg | volume |
| Road (1:3 / 1:2) | 320 / 480 kg | 320 / 480 kg | volume |
| Sea, LCL (÷1,000) | 960 kg | 0.96 W/M | volume |
The same crates are billed on their weight by air but on their size by rail, road and sea. That is because each mode sets a different line between “heavy” and “bulky”. The ratios come from DHL Global Forwarding's published guide.
Air freight
Air cargo uses 1:6, so every cubic meter counts as at least 166.7 kg. A plane can run out of weight or out of space, and the ratio charges for whichever the cargo uses more of. Dense machine parts usually pay on weight. Light parts in foam packaging usually pay on volume.
Sea freight: W/M
In a shared container (LCL), rates are per W/M: one unit is 1 m³ or 1,000 kg, whichever gives the bigger number. The crates above are 0.96 m³ but only 0.3 tonnes, so they bill as 0.96 W/M. A full container (FCL) is priced per box, so weight and volume only matter against its limits. For total cubic meters across many carton sizes and container fit, use the CBM calculator.
Road and rail
Rail freight commonly uses 1:3 (333 kg per m³). Road freight has no single standard. DHL notes it varies by country and carrier, with 1:3 common and 1:2 (500 kg per m³) in some cases. With a 1:2 ratio, the crates above bill as 480 kg instead of 320 kg, so ask your carrier which one applies before you compare quotes.
From chargeable weight to price
A forwarder's rate is quoted per chargeable kg (air) or per W/M (sea). Enter your rate in the calculator for a base estimate: rate × chargeable amount. Real quotes also add minimum charges and surcharges, so treat it as a floor, then request a freight quote to compare.
Sending parcels instead of freight? Courier and air parcel rules are on the volumetric weight calculator, and US UPS, FedEx and USPS rules are on the dimensional weight calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate chargeable weight?
Weigh the whole shipment, packaging and pallets included. Then work out its volumetric weight: length × width × height in centimeters for each piece, times the number of pieces, divided by the mode's divisor (6,000 for air). The chargeable weight is whichever of the two is greater.
Why divide by 6,000 for air freight?
6,000 cm³ per kg is the air cargo ratio, 1:6. It means one cubic meter is charged as at least 166.7 kg. A plane has limits on both weight and space, so light, bulky cargo pays for the space it takes.
How do airlines calculate chargeable weight?
They compare the gross weight with the volumetric weight at 6,000 cm³ per kg and charge the higher. Two crates of 120 × 80 × 50 cm have a volumetric weight of 160 kg. If they weigh 300 kg, the chargeable weight is 300 kg. If they weigh 100 kg, it is 160 kg.
How is chargeable weight worked out for sea freight?
Shared-container (LCL) sea freight is charged per W/M, meaning weight or measure. Each unit is 1 cubic meter or 1,000 kg, whichever is greater. A full container (FCL) is priced per container instead, so volume and weight don't change the base price.
Does chargeable weight include the pallet?
Yes. The actual weight is the gross weight of everything that ships: goods, packaging and pallets. Measure the dimensions of the finished pieces too, pallets included.
What is the chargeable weight for road freight?
There is no single rule. DHL notes that road ratios vary by country and carrier. Many use 1:3, where 1 cubic meter counts as 333 kg, but some use 1:2, which makes it 500 kg. Pick the ratio your carrier uses in the calculator.