Volumetric weight calculator
Couriers bill a big, light box on its size, not its weight. Enter the box and the scale reading to see what express, air cargo, sea and road would each charge you for.
- Express courier
- ÷ 5000
- Air cargo (IATA)
- ÷ 6000
- Sea freight (LCL)
- 1 CBM = 1000 kg
- Road freight
- ÷ 3000
You are paying for 2 kg of air.
By express courier this box bills as 5 kg against 3 kg on the scale.
Result by freight mode— tap a mode to see its formula below
Smaller box
35 × 25 × 15 cm
Express saving
−2kg
Any box under 15 litres bills on the real weight. That is about 15% smaller in each direction.
Billed, Express courier
5 kg
Billed on size, not weight
How we worked this out
L × B × H (cm) ÷ 5000
- 01Box in centimetres40 cm, 30 cm, 20 cm40 × 30 × 20
- 02VolumeL × B × H24,000 cm³
- 03Volumetric weight24,000 ÷ 5,0004.8 kg
- 04Actual weightfrom your scale3 kg
- 05Chargeable weightmax(4.8, 3)4.8 kg
- 06Billed weightrounded up to the next 0.5 kg5 kg
Data source
- Hyre booking engine (same divisor used for every Hyre quote)DHL, FedEx, UPS and Aramex all publish 5000 for international express. Some carriers use 4000 or 6000 on specific services.
- Hyre billing stepHyre rounds chargeable weight up to the next 0.5 kg, like most express couriers.
Some carriers use a different divisor on specific services. The weight on your carrier's invoice is the one that counts.
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Volumetric weight, explained
What is volumetric weight?
Volumetric (or dimensional) weight is the weight a courier assumes from the size of your box. For express courier it is length × breadth × height in centimetres divided by 5000. You are billed on whichever is higher: the real weight or the volumetric weight.
Why is air cargo divided by 6000 but express by 5000?
IATA air cargo uses 6000 cm³ per kg. International express couriers use 5000, which makes a light, bulky box bill heavier. Some carriers use other divisors on specific services, so check your carrier's terms.
How is sea freight (LCL) charged?
Sea LCL is billed per revenue tonne, also called weight or measure (W/M): the larger of the weight in tonnes or the volume in cubic metres. One CBM counts as 1000 kg.
How do I lower my volumetric weight?
Use the smallest box that still protects the item, cut down tall boxes, and avoid empty space filled with packing. Trimming even a few centimetres from each side can drop a box below its real weight.