Chargeable weight calculator
Chargeable weight is the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight, and it is the weight air and express shipments are billed on. Pick the mode that matches your service, enter the size and weight, and see which weight governs. The metric-only version with both divisors side by side is the volumetric weight calculator.
Your shipment
Switching the mode changes the units and the divisor together. Results update as you type.
Dispute evidence checklist
If the carrier's bill differs from this estimate, gather this evidence before you dispute:
- Photo of the packed box or pallet with a tape measure across each side
- Photo of the package on a scale showing the weight
- The label or bill of lading copy with the dimensions and weight you entered
- The carrier's adjustment notice with the recorded dimensions
- A screenshot or printout of this result, with the date
- Photos of all six sides if the carrier claims damage or a nonrectangular shape
- Your scale and tape calibration notes, if you have them
How we got there
Questions
What is chargeable weight?
Chargeable weight is the weight an airline or express carrier bills: the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. A light, bulky shipment is billed on its volumetric weight; a dense one on its scale weight.
Which divisor does air cargo use?
General air cargo uses 6,000 cm³ per kilogram under the IATA standard. Express integrators use 5,000. Freight forwarders sometimes apply the divisor in your rate agreement instead, so check the agreement for contract freight.
Does chargeable weight round up?
Air cargo rounds the chargeable weight up to the next half kilogram on most services. Express carriers round to their own billing increments. This calculator shows the unrounded comparison plus the rounded-up figure in the steps.
Sources
- IATA air cargo volumetric standard (6,000 cm³/kg)
- DHL, FedEx and UPS express service guides (5,000 cm³/kg; 139 in³/lb)
Rules last checked November 12, 2026 · How we check every figure