CBM Calculator
Carton and cargo volume in CBM and cubic feet from dimensions in cm, m, mm or inches.
Volumetric Weight Calculator
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Volumetric, actual and chargeable weight for courier and freight packages, with every step shown.
Outer size of one package in the unit chosen above, up to 3 decimal places.
Outer size of one package in the unit chosen above, up to 3 decimal places.
Outer size of one package in the unit chosen above, up to 3 decimal places.
Packages or cartons of this size, a whole number from 1 to 1,000,000.
Scale weight of one package, in the weight unit chosen above.
Carriers use different divisors, often 5000 or 6000. Use the one your carrier states, or choose Custom (1,000 to 10,000).
Result
Enter the values above to see the result.
How to use
- Choose the dimension unit (cm, m, mm or inch) and enter the outer length, width and height of one package.
- Enter the number of packages of that size.
- Choose the weight unit (kg, g or lb) and enter the actual weight of one package.
- Choose the divisor your carrier uses: 5000, 6000 or Custom.
- Read the total chargeable weight. The working shows the volumetric and actual weight and which one is used for billing.
Method
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) turns the space a package takes up into a weight. Couriers and airlines use it because light but bulky parcels fill vans and aircraft holds without weighing much.
- Volumetric weight (kg) = length × width × height in cm ÷ divisor.
- Chargeable weight = the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight.
- Totals = the per-package value × the number of packages.
The divisor is in cubic centimetres per kilogram. 5000 is common for international courier services and 6000 for many air freight and express services, but carriers differ, so use the one your carrier states. Choose Custom to enter any whole number from 1,000 to 10,000. Divisors quoted in cubic inches per pound (such as 139 or 166) are different numbers and cannot be entered here.
Unit conversions are exact: 1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 mm = 0.1 cm, 1 m = 100 cm, 1 g = 0.001 kg and 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg.
| Weight | What it is |
|---|---|
| Actual weight | What the package weighs on a scale |
| Volumetric weight | Volume in cm³ ÷ divisor |
| Chargeable weight | The higher of the two; this is what carriers bill |
Results are shown in kilograms to three decimal places. Totals are calculated from the unrounded per-package values, and nothing is rounded up to the next 0.5 kg or 1 kg. Carriers often round up; check their rules.
Worked example
10 packages of 50 × 40 × 30 cm weighing 8 kg each, with divisor 5000:
| Input | |
|---|---|
| Dimension unit | cm |
| Length | 50 |
| Width | 40 |
| Height | 30 |
| Number of packages | 10 |
| Weight unit | kg |
| Actual weight per package | 8 |
| Divisor (cm³ per kg) | 5000 |
| Result | |
| Total chargeable weight (kg) | 120.000 |
| Chargeable weight per package (kg) | 12.000 |
| Volumetric weight per package (kg) | 12.000 |
| Total volumetric weight (kg) | 120.000 |
| Actual weight per package (kg) | 8.000 |
| Total actual weight (kg) | 80.000 |
FAQ
What is volumetric weight?
It is a weight worked out from a package's size: length × width × height in centimetres divided by the carrier's divisor. A 50 × 40 × 30 cm box is 60,000 cm³, which is 12 kg at divisor 5000.
Should I use divisor 5000 or 6000?
Use the divisor your carrier or service states. 5000 is common for international courier and 6000 for many air freight and express services. The same box is 12 kg at 5000 but 10 kg at 6000, so the divisor matters.
Why is my chargeable weight higher than the scale weight?
Because the package is light for its size. Carriers bill the higher of actual and volumetric weight, so a large, light box is charged on its volumetric weight.
Can I use inches and pounds?
Yes. Choose inch for the dimensions and lb for the weight. The calculator converts them exactly and shows the result in kilograms. The divisor is still in cm³ per kg.
Does the calculator round up to the next 0.5 kg or 1 kg?
No. It shows the exact result to three decimal places. Many carriers round chargeable weight up, so apply your carrier's rule to the final figure.
What is the difference from CBM?
CBM is the volume in cubic metres; volumetric weight turns volume into a weight with a divisor. To work out carton and shipment volume, use the CBM Calculator.
References
- Dimensional (volumetric) weight: volume in cm³ ÷ carrier divisor; chargeable weight is the higher of actual and volumetric weight (common courier and air freight practice).
- International yard and pound agreement (1959): 1 inch = 2.54 cm, 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg.