Chargeable weight calculator: air, express, LCL and road side by side
Chargeable weight is the higher of the actual gross weight and the volumetric weight. Air cargo divides cm³ by 6,000 (1 m³ = 166.67 kg); TNT’s international express uses 200 kg per m³ (÷5,000) and its economy services 250; sea LCL bills per tonne or m³, whichever is higher (W/M, 1 m³ = 1,000 kg); road groupage uses the carrier’s own factor, for example 300 or 330 kg per m³ in Raben’s general terms. In Logistivo you measure pallets with your phone (iPhone Pro LiDAR, Android depth or an AI photo estimate) and every measurement is saved with its date.
Source: DACHSER SE · Maersk · Cargolux Airlines International · TNT (a FedEx company) · DHL Express Germany · Raben Netherlands · Raben Logistics Romania · Raben Logistics Polska · Yurtiçi Kargo · DHL eCommerce Türkiye · NIST.
Data last updated:
.
One shipment, four bills
One shipment, four bills — Chargeable weight is the number a carrier multiplies by its rate: the higher of the gross weight and the volume converted into kilograms. Each mode converts volume at its own factor, so the same two pallets bill 480 kg by air, 576 kg by international express and 2.88 W/M by sea.
Enter each different piece once: quantity, outer length, width and height, and the gross weight per piece or for the whole row. Dimensions are the outside of the packed piece, pallet and overhang included.
The calculator runs in your browser and shows no freight prices. It converts your pieces with published factors — the airline ratio 1:6, the express factors TNT publishes for the UK, the factor from your road quote and the W/M rule for sea — and shows which number each mode bills. Your carrier’s tariff and its own measurement decide the invoice.
Quantity — Number of identical pieces in the row.
Length — Outer length of the packed piece, pallet and overhang included — in cm, or in inches (1 in = 2.54 cm, exact).
Width — Outer width, measured the same way.
Height — From the floor to the highest point, pallet included.
Gross weight — Including packaging and pallet, per piece or for the whole row (switch above the rows). Pounds convert at 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg (exact).
EUR 120 × 80 — EUR pallet footprint, 120 × 80 cm — add the height of the loaded pallet.
Carton 60 × 40 × 40 — Example carton of 60 × 40 × 40 cm — add its weight.
How to read the density scale — Density is gross weight ÷ volume, in kg per m³, on a logarithmic scale from 20 to 5,000. Each coloured mark is a mode’s break-even density — the factor it uses to turn a cubic metre into kilograms: 166.67 for air, the express factor you pick, the factor from your road quote and 1,000 for sea LCL. Cargo to the left of a mark is lighter than that factor and bills on volume in that mode (it “cubes out”); cargo to the right bills on its actual weight (it “weighs out”).
Air cargo — cm³ ÷ 6,000 · compared on consignment totals
Sea LCL — W/M: the higher of m³ and tonnes
Which rule does each mode use, and what does it give for your shipment? — On the left the rule and where it is written; on the right the same rule with your numbers, then a worked example.
Air cargo — ratio 1:6 — The higher of the gross weight and the volumetric weight: L × W × H in cm ÷ 6,000, so 1 m³ counts as 166.67 kg. Dachser’s terms put it as “1 m³ corresponds to 167 kg of freight-liable weight”. Airlines compare the consignment totals: charges depend on “the higher of the total weight or total volume” (Cargolux §5.2). (DACHSER AGB Air & Sea Logistics §5.1; Maersk; Cargolux Conditions of Carriage §5.2) Maersk’s example: a 100 × 60 × 30 cm box is 30 kg volumetric, so at 50 kg actual 50 kg is billed. Two EUR pallets of 120 × 80 × 150 cm at 180 kg each: 2.88 m³ × 166.67 = 480 kg against 360 kg → 480 kg.
Express and courier — the network’s own factor — Integrators publish a conversion factor per service. TNT: m³ × 200 for international express (= cm³ ÷ 5,000) and × 250 for economy and UK National Express (= ÷ 4,000). A higher factor means a light parcel bills on volume sooner. TNT charges the higher of the declared or actual weight and the declared or actual volumetric weight, and may check both (§5.1). (TNT UK, Calculating size & weight; TNT Terms and Conditions of Carriage §5.1) The same two pallets: 2.88 m³ × 200 = 576 kg, × 250 = 720 kg. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton of 12 kg bills 19.2 kg at × 200 and 24.0 kg at × 250 — and 16.0 kg as air cargo.
Road groupage — the carrier’s terms, not a law — The higher of the actual weight and m³ × the carrier’s kg-per-m³ factor; some carriers also convert loading metres. Published general terms give 300 kg per m³ (Raben Netherlands, Raben Romania) and 330 kg per m³ (Raben Poland); the Dutch terms add “unless the quote says otherwise”. (Raben NL general terms art. 6.2; Raben Romania GTC pt. 6; Raben Polska OWSUP annex 4) The two pallets at 300 kg per m³: 864 kg; at 330: 950.4 kg. Raben also converts loading metres — floor 1.92 m² ÷ 2.4 = 0.8 LDM × 1,500 = 1,200 kg (NL, PL) or × 1,250 = 1,000 kg (RO) — and bills the highest figure, so 1,200 kg with Raben Netherlands. A 100 × 80 × 60 cm crate of 400 kg (833 kg per m³) is above both m³ factors, but its floor (0.33 LDM × 1,500 = 500 kg) decides there.
Sea LCL — W/M, 1 m³ = 1 tonne — The rate applies per weight ton or per measurement ton, whichever yields more revenue: W/M = the higher of cubic metres and metric tonnes. Maersk’s glossary also lists older bases of 2,240 lb or 40 cubic feet, so check which ton your quote uses. (Maersk glossary of shipping terms; Maersk LCL notice, 17 September 2026) The two pallets: 2.88 m³ against 0.36 t → 2.88 W/M. The 400 kg crate: 0.48 m³ against 0.40 t → 0.48 W/M. The same crate bills on weight by air and on an m³ road factor, but on volume by sea.
Per piece or on totals? — Airline tariffs compare totals. Turkey’s domestic couriers compare each parcel: Yurtiçi Kargo works out the chargeable weight per piece and adds up the results, so the sum can exceed both totals. The calculator does the same when you pick the Türkiye desi preset. (Cargolux Conditions of Carriage §5.2; Yurtiçi Kargo FAQ) A 60 × 40 × 40 cm parcel of 5 kg (32 desi) and a 30 × 20 × 20 cm parcel of 20 kg (4 desi): parcel by parcel 32 + 20 = 52; on totals it would be 36.
Inches and pounds — The tool converts to metric first — 1 in = 2.54 cm and 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg, both exact — and then applies the metric divisors. ÷ 6,000 cm³ per kg equals about 366.1 cubic inches per kilogram, or 166.1 per pound: cubic inches ÷ 366 gives kilograms, not pounds. 1,000 kg per m³ equals 62.43 lb per cubic foot. (NIST SP 811, Appendix B.8) 48 × 40 × 59 in at 400 lb: 121.92 × 101.6 × 149.86 cm = 1.856 m³ and 181.4 kg → 309.4 kg volumetric by air, so 309.4 kg is billed.
TNT Express, international · × 200 — Volume in m³ × 200 (= cm³ ÷ 5,000) for TNT’s international express services: 9:00, 10:00, 12:00 and Express. (TNT UK, Calculating size & weight)
TNT Economy, international · × 250 — m³ × 250 (= cm³ ÷ 4,000) for 12:00 Economy Express and Economy Express (international). (TNT UK, Calculating size & weight)
TNT National Express (UK) · × 250 — m³ × 250 (= cm³ ÷ 4,000) for domestic UK National Express. (TNT UK, Calculating size & weight)
Türkiye domestic courier · desi ÷ 3,000 per parcel — Turkish couriers bill in desi: L × W × H in cm ÷ 3,000 (DHL eCommerce Türkiye). Yurtiçi Kargo compares each parcel’s desi with its kilograms and adds up the higher values; this preset does the same, parcel by parcel. (Yurtiçi Kargo FAQ; DHL eCommerce Türkiye FAQ)
Heavy cargo (“ağır yük”): DHL eCommerce Türkiye treats a parcel over 30 kg and/or 50 desi, longer than 3 m or higher than 1.80 m — and palletised goods — as heavy cargo with its own handling (carriage contract, art. 6).
Raben Netherlands · 300 kg/m³ — Chargeable weight is the highest of 1 m³ = 300 kg and 1 loading metre = 1,500 kg, “unless the quote says otherwise”; loading metres = floor area in m² ÷ 2.4. Stacking is not included in the calculation (art. 6.2.3). (Raben Netherlands general terms, art. 6.2)
Raben Romania · 300 kg/m³ — Chargeable weight is the highest of 1 m³ = 300 kg and 1 loading metre = 1,250 kg; where measured parameters differ from the declared ones, the actual ones are billed. International prices are agreed individually (pt. 8). (Raben Romania GTC 09.2025, pt. 6)
Raben Poland · 330 kg/m³ — 1 m³ = 330 kg and 1 loading metre = 1,500 kg; transport is priced on the higher of the actual and the chargeable weight. International prices are agreed individually. (Raben Polska OWSUP annex 4, pt. 6; table 1 from 1.03.2026)
Own divisor: if your express or courier contract states a divisor (for example 5,000 or 4,000 cm³ per kg), choose “Own divisor” and type it; the card converts it (5,000 cm³/kg = 200 kg per m³). Maersk notes that some carriers use 5,000 instead of 6,000 even for air.
Factor from your quote: no law sets a kg per m³ for road groupage in the markets we checked; it is in your haulier’s terms or quote — Dachser’s responsible branch states its minimum weight per m³ and per loading metre. Full and part loads priced by floor space: use the loading metre calculator.
Results are exact to 0.1 kg. Airline and courier tariffs round the chargeable weight to their own step, so check the step on your tariff before comparing with an invoice.
Small LCL lots: tariffs carry a minimum charge, and a lot below it pays the minimum — a Maersk notice of 17 September 2026 lists one amount for “LCL Min & W/m”. Check the minimum on your quote.
Measure once — in Logistivo — Every number above starts with a tape measure. In Logistivo’s stock module you measure a pallet with your phone instead: LiDAR on an iPhone Pro, ARCore depth on supported Android phones, or an AI estimate from a photo (marked as an estimate); typing it in works too. Each measurement is saved with its date, the volume is worked out from length × width × height, a photo can be kept as proof and re-measuring shows the history side by side. Weight is always entered by hand. When you open a freight request, the pallet lines carry type, quantity, L × W × H in cm and weight per pallet, and the total weight is added up from the lines.
Example: two EUR pallets — 2 × 120 × 80 × 150 cm at 180 kg each — the worked example used throughout this page. Replace it with your own pieces.
Reference calculation, not a quote: the carrier’s tariff, its minimums and its own measurement decide the invoice. No rates are shown or stored — everything is calculated in your browser.
Express factors are shown as TNT publishes them for the UK; for another integrator, type the divisor from your contract.
How is chargeable weight calculated for air freight?
Multiply length × width × height in centimetres, divide by 6,000 and compare the result with the gross weight; the higher figure is the chargeable weight. The ratio 1:6 means 1 m³ counts as 166.67 kg — Dachser’s air and sea terms round it to “1 m³ corresponds to 167 kg of freight-liable weight”.
Airlines compare the whole consignment: Cargolux’s conditions of carriage say charges depend on “the higher of the total weight or total volume”. One light, bulky box can lift a mixed shipment above its actual weight, and a heavy crate on the same air waybill can absorb it. Emissions are another matter: they are reported on the actual mass, not the chargeable weight — the freight emissions calculator puts air next to truck, rail and ship (ISO 14083).
The calculator shows the exact value to 0.1 kg; airline tariffs round to their own step, so compare with the step on your quote.
For customs the air freight counts differently again: in the EU and the UK only a share of it, set by the departure zone (Annex 23-01), enters the customs value; in Türkiye all of it up to the airport of unloading. The customs value calculator applies both rules.
Why is the air freight divisor 6,000 and the courier divisor 5,000?
Because they are different tariffs. Airline cargo uses the ratio 1:6, 166.67 kg per m³. Express networks set a factor per service: TNT multiplies the volume in m³ by 200 for international express — the same as dividing cm³ by 5,000 — and by 250 for economy and for UK National Express (÷ 4,000). A courier factor above 166.67 makes a light parcel reach volumetric billing sooner than it would as airline cargo.
So check which service a quote is for: the same 60 × 40 × 40 cm carton of 12 kg bills 16.0 kg as air cargo, 19.2 kg on express at × 200 and 24.0 kg on economy at × 250.
How many kilograms is 1 CBM in air, express, road and sea freight?
Air cargo — 1 m³ counts as: 166.67 kg | Rule: cm³ ÷ 6,000 (ratio 1:6), consignment totals | Where it is written: Airline tariff; DACHSER AGB §5.1; Cargolux §5.2
Express, international (TNT) — 1 m³ counts as: 200 kg | Rule: m³ × 200 = cm³ ÷ 5,000 | Where it is written: TNT UK, Calculating size & weight
Express, economy and UK National (TNT) — 1 m³ counts as: 250 kg | Rule: m³ × 250 = cm³ ÷ 4,000 | Where it is written: TNT UK, Calculating size & weight
Road groupage — 1 m³ counts as: 300 or 330 kg in Raben’s terms | Rule: The carrier’s kg-per-m³ factor | Where it is written: Raben NL and RO (300), Raben PL (330)
Turkish domestic courier (desi) — 1 m³ counts as: 333.33 kg | Rule: cm³ ÷ 3,000, parcel by parcel | Where it is written: Yurtiçi Kargo; DHL eCommerce Türkiye
Sea LCL — 1 m³ counts as: 1,000 kg | Rule: W/M: the higher of m³ and tonnes | Where it is written: Maersk glossary of shipping terms
The factor is a tariff term, not a physical constant: read it from your quote.
What does W/M mean on an LCL sea freight quote?
W/M means weight or measurement: the rate is charged per metric tonne or per cubic metre, whichever earns the carrier more. 2.88 m³ weighing 360 kg is 2.88 W/M; a 0.48 m³ crate of 400 kg is 0.48 W/M. For a list of cartons, the CBM calculator adds up the m³ carton by carton and gives the W/M straight away.
LCL tariffs are quoted per W/M and carry a minimum — a Maersk notice of 17 September 2026 shows one amount for “LCL Min & W/m”. The same crate that bills on weight by air bills on volume at sea, because 1,000 kg per m³ is the highest break-even of all four modes. Once the lot fills most of a box, compare it with a full container: how many pallets fit in a 20 ft or 40 ft container is shown by the container pallet calculator.
Which kg per m³ applies to road groupage in the UK and Europe?
None is set by law in the markets we checked: the factor sits in the carrier’s terms or in your quote. Dachser’s European logistics terms say the responsible branch states the minimum weight per m³ and per loading metre; Raben’s published terms convert 1 m³ into 300 kg (Netherlands, Romania) or 330 kg (Poland), and 1 loading metre into 1,500 kg (NL, PL) or 1,250 kg (RO).
Raben’s Romanian and Polish terms add that international prices are agreed individually, so treat these domestic factors as examples and compare two quotes on the same factor. Floor-priced full and part loads: loading metre calculator; whether a rate covers a truck’s cost per km: freight cost calculator.
Why was I charged for more than the actual weight of my shipment?
Why was I charged for more than the actual weight of my shipment? — Usually one of these:
The volumetric weight was higher — the carrier bills the higher of the two (TNT §5.1; DHL Express Germany: “the higher weight applies”).
The carrier re-measured or re-weighed: TNT may check actual weight and dimensions, and Raben Romania bills the actual parameters when they differ from the declared ones.
The pallet and packaging were left out of the declaration: actual weight includes transport packaging such as the pallet (Raben Netherlands art. 6.1).
The courier compared parcel by parcel: Yurtiçi Kargo adds up each parcel’s higher value, which can exceed both totals.
A small LCL lot paid the tariff minimum.
Does the pallet count in the weight and the dimensions?
Yes. Measure the outside of the loaded pallet, overhang included, and declare the gross weight with the pallet. Raben’s Dutch terms count packaging such as a pallet or crate in the actual weight (art. 6.1); DHL Express Germany states that pallets are part of the shipment and count when the weight is determined, and pieces of 70 kg or more must travel on a pallet.
Stacking does not lower an m³-based charge by itself: Raben Netherlands does not include stacking in its calculation (art. 6.2.3).
Which mistakes push the chargeable weight up?
Measuring the goods, not the pallet — Outer dimensions include the pallet and any overhang; the gross weight includes the pallet.
Using a courier factor for airline cargo — Airline cargo is ÷ 6,000; express services use their own factor (TNT × 200 or × 250).
Comparing quotes on different factors — At 300 and at 330 kg per m³ the same two pallets price 864 kg and 950.4 kg — compare on one factor.
Adding up totals when the courier compares parcels — Parcel by parcel the example gives 52, on totals 36.
Rounding dimensions down — Carriers re-measure and bill what they measure (TNT §5.1).
Mixing inches with metric divisors — Cubic inches ÷ 366 gives kilograms, not pounds; convert first (1 in = 2.54 cm).
Declaring net instead of gross weight — The comparison uses gross weight, packaging and pallet included.
Treating a domestic factor as the international one — Raben’s Romanian and Polish terms agree international prices individually.
From tape measure to freight request, in Logistivo
From tape measure to freight request, in Logistivo — The dimensions this calculator needs, kept where you book the freight.
Scan a pallet with your phone — LiDAR on an iPhone Pro or ARCore depth on supported Android phones captures length, width and height; each measurement is saved with its date.
Estimate from a photo — AI reads a pallet or product photo and suggests the dimensions as an estimate; you review and confirm.
Standard footprints filled in — Type one side of a EUR (120 × 80), industrial (120 × 100) or half pallet (80 × 60) and the form suggests the other; height and weight are never guessed.
Pallet lines in every freight request — Type, quantity, L × W × H and weight per pallet; the total weight is added up from the lines.
Keep measured pallets next to your freight requests
Open a Logistivo shipper account: measure pallets in the stock module and send freight requests with pallet lines.
Source
DACHSER SE — AGB Air & Sea Logistics, §5.1 (Volumenverhältnis 1:6) — https://www.dachser.de/downloads/Germany/AGBs/AGB_Air_Sea_Logistics_DACHSER%20SE_DE_vers.pdf
Maersk — Air cargo chargeable weight calculation explained (10 March 2025) — https://www.maersk.com/logistics-explained/transportation-and-freight/2025/03/10/air-cargo-chargeable-weight
Cargolux Airlines International — Conditions of Carriage, §5.2 Basis of rates and charges — https://www.cargolux.com/conditions-of-carriage/
TNT (a FedEx company) — Calculating Size & Weight — TNT United Kingdom — https://www.tnt.com/express/en_gb/site/how-to/calculate-size-and-weight.html
TNT (a FedEx company) — Terms and Conditions of Carriage (Europe), §5.1 — https://www.tnt.com/express/en_gb/site/terms-conditions.html
DHL Express Germany — Maße und Gewichte für Packstücke & Paletten — https://www.dhl.de/de/geschaeftskunden/express/infos-knowhow/formate-gewichte.html
Maersk — Glossary of shipping terms — Weight/Measurement Ton — https://www.maersk.com/support/glossaries/shipping-terms
Maersk — LCL Emergency Operational Cost Recovery surcharge (17 September 2026) — “LCL Min & W/m” — https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2026/09/17/lcl-emergency-operational-cost-recovery-surcharge
Raben Logistics Romania — General Terms and Conditions 09.2025, pt. 6 (chargeable weight) — https://ro-api.raben-group.com/fileadmin/Country_Directories/Romania/EN_GTC_Raben_Romania_09.2025.pdf
Raben Logistics Polska — OWSUP, Załącznik 4, Tabela 1 (ceny bazowe od 1.03.2026) — przeliczniki — https://pl-api.raben-group.com/fileadmin/fileadmin/RLP/Regulaminy/OWSUP_ZALACZNIK_4_Tabela_1_POL-ENG_v11.pdf
DACHSER SE — AGB European Logistics (Mindestgewicht pro cbm und Lademeter) — https://www.dachser.de/downloads/Germany/AGBs/AGB_European_Logistics_DACHSER%20SE_DE_ver-1.pdf
Yurtiçi Kargo — S.S.S. — Ücrete Esas Ağırlık — https://www.yurticikargo.com/tr/gonderi-rehberleri/s-s-s
DHL eCommerce Türkiye — Sıkça Sorulan Sorular (desi: En × Boy × Yükseklik / 3000) — https://www.dhlecommerce.com.tr/sikca-sorulan-sorular
DHL eCommerce Türkiye — Taşıma Sözleşmesi, md. 6 (ağır yük) — https://www.dhlecommerce.com.tr/tasima-hizmet-sozlesmesi/tasima-sozlesmesi
NIST — NIST SP 811, Appendix B.8 — factors for units listed alphabetically — https://www.nist.gov/pml/special-publication-811/nist-guide-si-appendix-b-conversion-factors/nist-guide-si-appendix-b8
Frequently asked questions
How is chargeable weight calculated for air freight?
Take the higher of the gross weight and L × W × H in cm ÷ 6,000. One cubic metre counts as 166.67 kg, and airlines compare the consignment totals.
What is the difference between volumetric weight and chargeable weight?
Volumetric (dimensional) weight is the volume converted into kilograms with the carrier’s factor; chargeable weight is whichever is higher, that figure or the actual gross weight.
How many kg is 1 CBM in air, express, road and sea freight?
Air 166.67 kg; TNT international express 200 kg; TNT economy and UK National Express 250 kg; road groupage per the carrier, for example 300 or 330 kg; sea LCL 1,000 kg (W/M).
What does W/M mean in LCL shipping?
Weight or measurement: the rate applies per tonne or per cubic metre, whichever is higher. 2.88 m³ weighing 360 kg is 2.88 W/M.
What is a desi in Turkish courier pricing?
L × W × H in cm ÷ 3,000. Yurtiçi Kargo compares each parcel’s desi with its kilograms and adds up the higher values.
Does the pallet count towards the chargeable weight?
Yes. Measure the loaded pallet from the outside, overhang included, and declare the gross weight with the pallet.
Why did my express invoice show a higher weight than I declared?
The carrier may check weight and dimensions and bills the higher of actual and volumetric weight (TNT Conditions of Carriage §5.1).
Can Logistivo measure my pallets?
Yes. In Logistivo’s stock module you scan a pallet with iPhone Pro LiDAR or ARCore depth on supported Android phones, estimate it from a photo with AI, or type it in. Each measurement is saved with its date and can carry a photo proof; weight is entered by hand.
Where do the dimensions go in a Logistivo freight request?
Into the pallet lines: pallet type (EUR to CP-9 or other), quantity, length × width × height in cm and weight per pallet. Logistivo adds up the total weight from those lines.
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