Volumetric Calculator

Please enter your parcel details:

LENGTH:

WIDTH:

HEIGHT:

ACTUAL WEIGHT (OPTIONAL):

Weight Type

Exact weight

Actual Weight

0 kg

Volumetric Weight

0 kg

Chargeable Weight

0 kg

How to Determine your Chargeable Weight

Actual vs Volumetric Weight

Actual Weight

Volumetric /
Dimensional Weight

How do I determine the chargeable weight for my shipment?

Actual weight is the weight displayed when you place an item on a weighing scale. On the other hand, volumetric weight (VM), or dimensional weight reflects the density of a parcel, which is the amount of space the parcel occupies in relation to its actual weight. In general, the denser the item, the less space it occupies (i.e. less volume), and vice versa.

Air freight charges are determined either by the weight of your goods, or by the space they occupy in an aircraft. Therefore, light but bulky items such as bicycles and surfboards will need to account for the amount of cargo space or volume required.

The chargeable weight will be the greater value between the two.

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1

Determine actual weight

Place your package on a weighing scale and obtain a reading in kilograms (kg), rounded to the nearest 0.1 kg.

Actual weight example

If the scale says 5.45 kg, the actual weight will be 5.5 kg.

Step 2

Determine volumetric weight

Volumetric or dimensional weight can be calculated using this formula:

(Length x Width x Height) CM / 5000

Volumetric weight example

Let’s say this parcel is:
50 cm (L) x 30 cm (W) x 20 cm (H)

The volumetric weight is:

(50 x 30 x 20)/5000 = 6.2 kg

Step 3

Make a comparison

Compare the parcel’s actual weight to its volumetric weight. The greater of the two is the chargeable weight, which would determine your shipping rate.

Chargeable weight example

Actual weight = 5.5 kg
Volumetric (dimensional) weight = 6.2 kg

Hence,
Chargeable (billable) weight = 6.2 kg

Irregularly Shaped Packages

Not every parcel is going to be a perfect cube or rectangle. Occasionally, an item you’re sending might have an irregular shape – for example, a musical instrument, a car tyre or a hat box etc. To measure irregularly shaped items, treat the irregularly shaped package as if it is a regular rectangular box. Using a ruler or measuring tape, measure the length, width and height from its extreme points.