Volumetric Weight – What It Is and How to Calculate It

When shipping goods, especially via air freight, courier companies don’t just look at the actual weight of the package. They also consider the space it takes up in the aircraft.

Volumetric weight calculation

This is where  (also called dimensional weight) comes in. If your package is light but large in size, you may be charged based on volumetric weight instead of actual weight.

Formula for Volumetric Weight (Air Freight)

The standard IATA formula for air freight is:

Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 5000

Example Calculation

Suppose your shipment has:

• Length = 80 cm

• Width = 50 cm

• Height = 40 cm

• Actual weight = 20 kg

Step 1: Calculate volume in cubic cm:

80 × 50 × 40 = 160,000 cm³

Step 2: Divide by 5000:

160,000 ÷ 5000 = 32 kg (Volumetric Weight)

Step 3: Compare with actual weight:

• Actual weight = 20 kg

• Volumetric weight = 32 kg

Chargeable weight = 32 kg (because it’s higher).

Why 5000 as the Divisor?

The divisor 5000 is an industry standard for air freight (some courier companies use 6000 for express shipments like DHL, FedEx, UPS). It represents the space-to-weight ratio airlines use for cargo pricing.

Volumetric Weight for Other Shipping Modes

• Sea Freight (LCL): Uses cubic meters (CBM) instead of volumetric weight.

• Courier Services: Often use (Length × Width × Height ÷ 5000 or 6000) depending on the service.

Quick Volumetric Weight Chart (Air Freight)

Dimensions (cm)	Volumetric Weight (kg)
40 × 40 × 40	12.8 kg
60 × 40 × 50	24.0 kg
80 × 50 × 40	32.0 kg
100 × 60 × 50	60.0 kg