What is the Volumetric Weight Calculator?
Every transport mode converts volume to weight differently. Volumetric weight for courier usually divides cm³ by 5,000; air cargo by 6,000 (1 CBM = 167 kg); sea freight treats 1 CBM as 1,000 kg; and road freight often 1 CBM as 333 kg. The calculator shows all of them for your cartons.
You pay on the chargeable weight, the higher of actual and volumetric. For CBM conversions alone see the CBM to KG Calculator. All calculators accept centimetres, inches or millimetres and kilograms or pounds, so you can use the units on your supplier's spec sheet.
How to use the Volumetric Weight Calculator
- Enter carton dimensions and quantity.
- Enter the actual weight per carton.
- Read volumetric and chargeable weight for each mode.
Formula
Courier: cm³ ÷ 5000 · Air: cm³ ÷ 6000 · Sea: CBM × 1000 · Road: CBM × 333
Example
10 cartons of 60 × 40 × 40 cm (0.96 CBM) weighing 120 kg: courier volumetric 192 kg, air 160 kg, so air freight bills 160 kg.
Volumetric factors by mode
| Mode | Factor | 1 CBM equals |
|---|---|---|
| Courier / express | ÷ 5000 | 200 kg |
| Air cargo | ÷ 6000 | 167 kg |
| Road freight | 1:3 | 333 kg |
| Sea LCL | 1:1 | 1,000 kg |
Related packaging and shipping tools
Packaging decisions are connected: the box size sets the volumetric weight, which sets the courier bill, and the carton size decides how many fit on a pallet or in a container. These related calculators help with the next step:
- Dimensional weight calculator: DIM weight and chargeable weight.
- CBM calculator: cubic metres for a shipment.
- Shipping cost calculator: courier cost from your rate card.
- Freight cost calculator: air, LCL, FCL and road.
- Package weight calculator: gross weight of a packed box.
Frequently asked questions
How is volumetric weight calculated?
Length × width × height in cm divided by the carrier's factor, such as 5000.
What is 1 CBM in kg for air freight?
About 167 kg.
How is sea freight charged?
Per CBM or per tonne, whichever is greater (1 CBM = 1,000 kg).
Why is courier volumetric higher than air cargo?
Courier uses a smaller divisor (5000), giving a higher weight.
Which one will I pay for?
The higher of actual and volumetric weight.
Is the Volumetric Weight Calculator free to use?
Yes. The Volumetric Weight Calculator on Custom Converter is completely free, with no sign-up, no daily limit and no watermark.
Does the Volumetric Weight Calculator work on mobile phones?
Yes. It is built mobile-first and works on Android phones, iPhones, tablets and computers in any modern browser, with no app to install.