CBM & Chargeable Weight Calculator
Work out your volume, air chargeable weight, and sea LCL billing basis from carton dimensions — and see when a full container becomes the better deal.
Freight is priced on space as much as weight: air cargo bills the greater of actual weight and volume ÷ 6,000; sea LCL bills the greater of CBM and tonnes (W/M). Knowing your numbers before you ask for rates means quotes you can actually compare.
Package dimensions (per carton/pallet, in cm)
Air volumetric weight uses the IATA 1:6,000 divisor (cm³ ÷ 6,000). Sea LCL is billed per revenue ton — whichever is greater of volume in CBM or weight in metric tonnes.
What to do with the result
Under ~13 CBM, request an LCL quote priced per CBM. Above it, compare against a full container. For urgent cargo, use the air chargeable weight with our air freight service — then estimate duty and VAT with the import duty calculator.
Volume & weight questions, answered
How do I calculate CBM for sea freight?
Multiply length × width × height of each package in centimetres, divide by 1,000,000, and multiply by the number of packages. Example: 20 cartons of 60 × 50 × 40 cm = 120,000 cm³ each = 0.12 CBM each = 2.4 CBM total.
What is chargeable weight in air freight?
Airlines bill whichever is greater: the actual weight, or the volumetric weight calculated as total volume in cm³ divided by 6,000. Light but bulky cargo is billed on volume; dense cargo on the scale weight. Example: a 1.2 CBM shipment has a volumetric weight of 200 kg — if it actually weighs 90 kg, you still pay for 200 kg.
What does W/M (weight or measure) mean in LCL quotes?
LCL sea freight is billed per revenue ton: whichever is greater of your volume in CBM or your weight in metric tonnes (1 tonne = 1 CBM for billing). A 3 CBM shipment weighing 1.2 tonnes is billed as 3 revenue tons; a 2 CBM shipment weighing 2.8 tonnes is billed as 2.8.
At what volume should I switch from LCL to a full container?
The practical break-even is around 13–15 CBM. Above that, a 20ft container of your own (roughly 33 CBM capacity) is usually cheaper than paying per CBM, and it clears faster because there is no deconsolidation at destination. Always compare both quotes near the break-even.
Why does my forwarder's chargeable weight differ from my calculation?
Usually one of three reasons: packaging was measured at its widest points (bulging cartons and pallet overhang count), the pallet itself added volume and weight, or the shipment was re-measured at the warehouse with certified equipment. Quoting with accurate, honest dimensions up front avoids surprises.
Have your numbers? Get the rate.
Send dimensions, weight, and destination — we'll quote LCL, FCL, and air side by side so the cheapest right answer is obvious.