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Air Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator

Work out air freight chargeable weight instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Air Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator

IATA air freight uses a 6000 divisor, equivalent to a break-even density of 167 kg per cubic metre. Anything lighter than that per cubic metre is charged on volume, which covers the great majority of consumer goods shipments.

Formula

Air freight chargeable weight

volumetric kg = L x W x H (cm) / 6000; chargeable = max(actual, volumetric)

Worked example

With the default values below, Air Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator returns Chargeable weight of 152.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Length
120 cm
Width
80 cm
Height
95 cm
Actual weight
145 kg

Results

Chargeable weight
152.00 kg
Volumetric weight
152.00 kg
Shipment density
158.99 kg/m³
Charged on
Volumetric weight

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Air freight chargeable weight
  3. 3Chargeable weight= 152.00 kg
  4. 4Volumetric weight= 152.00 kg
  5. 5Shipment density= 158.99 kg/m³
  6. 6Charged on= Volumetric weight

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why 6000 rather than 5000?

6000 corresponds to 167 kg/m3, the density at which an aircraft fills by weight and volume simultaneously. Express couriers use 5000 to reflect their tighter vehicle constraints.

How is it rounded?

Normally up to the next half kilogram, and rate breaks at 45, 100, 300 and 500 kg mean a slightly heavier shipment can sometimes cost less.

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