Cargo Density Calculator
Calculate cargo density and volumetric (dimensional) weight for air and road freight.
This free cargo density calculator helps you estimate shipping costs before booking a freight quote. Enter the length, width, height and actual weight of your shipment, and it calculates the density in kg/m³, the volumetric (dimensional) weight used by air and road carriers, and the final chargeable weight — whichever of actual or volumetric weight is higher, since that is what carriers bill against.
Air freight typically divides the volume in cubic centimetres by 6000 to get volumetric weight in kilograms, while road freight in Europe commonly uses a divisor of 3000. Low-density, bulky shipments (like foam or empty boxes) often end up billed by volumetric weight rather than actual weight, so checking this before shipping helps avoid surprise charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cargo density?
Cargo density is the weight of a shipment divided by its volume, usually expressed in kilograms per cubic metre (kg/m³). It tells you how "heavy for its size" a shipment is.
What is volumetric (dimensional) weight?
Volumetric weight is a standardized way carriers estimate how much space a shipment takes up relative to its actual weight, calculated from the package dimensions using an industry-standard divisor.
How is air freight volumetric weight calculated?
The IATA standard formula is: length × width × height (in cm) ÷ 6000 = volumetric weight in kg. This is the factor most airlines and air freight forwarders use.
How is road freight volumetric weight calculated?
European road freight commonly uses a divisor of 3000 (L × W × H in cm ÷ 3000), reflecting the fact that trucks are typically loaded by volume more than air cargo holds are.
What is chargeable weight?
Chargeable weight is whichever is greater: the actual (physical) weight or the volumetric weight. Carriers bill based on chargeable weight because a large, light package still takes up valuable space.
Why would a light package cost more to ship than expected?
If a package is bulky but light — like packaging foam, pillows, or an empty box — its volumetric weight can exceed its actual weight, so the carrier charges based on the higher volumetric figure instead.
Does sea freight use the same volumetric weight formula?
Sea freight is usually priced per cubic metre (CBM) rather than using a weight-based volumetric formula, though very dense cargo may instead be billed by actual weight if that produces a higher charge.
How can I reduce volumetric weight charges?
Using tighter, more efficient packaging that minimizes unused space reduces the dimensions used in the volumetric formula, which can lower the volumetric weight and therefore the shipping cost.
What units should I use for dimensions?
This calculator uses centimetres for dimensions and kilograms for weight, matching the units used in the standard IATA and European road freight formulas.
Is this calculator accurate for all carriers?
It uses the most widely applied industry-standard divisors (6000 for air, 3000 for road), but some carriers use slightly different divisors — always confirm the exact formula with your specific carrier before finalizing a shipment.