How do I calculate chargeable weight?

Multiply the length, width, and height in centimetres, then divide by the carrier's divisor, usually 5,000 for air. Compare that volumetric weight with the actual weight and use the larger of the two. That figure is the chargeable weight the freight cost is based on.

Which divisor should I use?

Air freight and couriers commonly use 5,000, road freight often uses 4,000, and sea freight is usually charged by cubic metre instead. Check your carrier's terms, then enter the right divisor here. The default of 5,000 suits most courier parcels.

Freight Calculator

Work out the chargeable weight of a parcel and estimate the freight cost. Enter the box dimensions in centimetres, the actual weight, and the rate per kilogram, and the calculator finds the volumetric weight, the chargeable weight, and the cost. Carriers charge on whichever is greater, the actual or the volumetric weight, so a light but bulky box can cost more than you expect.

Length (cm)

Width (cm)

Height (cm)

Actual weight (kg)

Divisor

Rate per kg

estimated freight cost

Volumetric weight0 kg

Chargeable weight0 kg

Estimate only. Carriers add fuel surcharges, rural delivery, and minimum charges.

How freight is priced

Carriers cannot just charge by weight, because a large box of pillows would travel almost free while taking up a whole pallet. Instead they work out a volumetric weight from the size of the parcel and charge on whichever is greater, the actual weight or the volumetric weight. That is the chargeable weight.

Worked example

A 40 by 30 by 25 cm box is 30,000 cubic centimetres. Divided by 5,000, the volumetric weight is 6 kg. If the parcel actually weighs 4 kg, the chargeable weight is 6 kg. At $3.50 per kg, the freight estimate is $21.

The formulas

Volumetric weight = length times width times height, divided by the divisor
Chargeable weight = the greater of actual and volumetric weight
Cost = chargeable weight times rate per kg

Related calculators

Import Duty Calculator: duty and GST on imports.
Cubic Metre Calculator: volume of a shipment.
Currency Converter: convert an overseas freight quote.
Moving Costs Calculator: cost of a household move.

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