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Volumetric & chargeable weight calculator

Package size and weight in; cubic metres, cubic feet and the chargeable weight on three common bases out.

Enter package size and weight, and this free Safe & Secure Logistics calculator works out cubic metres, cubic feet and the chargeable weight on three common bases: kg per cubic foot for road part loads, divide by 5,000 for express and the IATA divide by 6,000 for air. The formula is shown.

CBM, CFT and chargeable weight appear here.

How it works

The method, and its limits

CBM = L × W × H (cm) × packages ÷ 1,000,000
CFT = CBM × 35.3147
Road part-load volumetric kg = CFT × the carrier’s kg-per-cft factor
Express = L × W × H (cm) ÷ 5,000 · Air (IATA) = L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6,000
Chargeable weight = the higher of actual and volumetric

Worked example: one 100 × 100 × 100 cm crate weighing 150 kg is 1 m³ (35.31 cft). By road at 6 kg/cft it is charged as 211.9 kg; by air as 166.7 kg; by the ÷ 5,000 convention as 200 kg.

Sources

Where the figures come from

IATA: volumetric (dimensional) weight convention, 6,000 cm³/kg

Figures are general information, checked on 29 Sep 2026. Rules change; follow the source before acting.

Frequently asked questions

What is chargeable weight?

The weight a carrier bills on: the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Light, bulky goods are charged on volume; dense goods on actual weight.

How is volumetric weight calculated for air freight?

Under the IATA convention, volumetric kg = length × width × height in cm ÷ 6,000 (one cubic metre counts as about 166.7 kg).

How do Indian road carriers calculate it?

Many part-load carriers convert cubic feet to kg with a factor, commonly somewhere between 6 and 10 kg per cubic foot. The factor is set by each carrier, so ask before comparing quotes.

What factor does Safe & Secure Logistics use?

Safe & Secure Logistics’ desk confirms the factor for your lane with your quote. The calculator lets you enter any factor.

How many cubic feet are in a cubic metre?

One cubic metre is 35.3147 cubic feet.

What is the ÷ 5,000 figure?

A convention many express and courier services use: volumetric kg = L × W × H in cm ÷ 5,000. Check your carrier’s terms.

How can I reduce chargeable weight?

Pack tighter: right-size cartons, remove void fill, palletise to a regular footprint and avoid overhang. Volume, not weight, is usually what bulky shipments pay for.

Does this work without JavaScript?

The calculation needs JavaScript; the formulas are shown below so you can work it by hand.

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