How to Calculate Chargeable Weight for Airfreight

Hidden costs in air cargo can catch many businesses by surprise. Freight rates are not always based on the actual weight of your shipment, airlines also calculate volumetric (dimensional) weight or even apply positional weight for special cargo, including outsized, awkward or dangerous goods. Knowing how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight is essential to avoid overpaying and to optimize your supply chain. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about air freight chargeable weight, including actual, volumetric and positional weight, the formulas you need and practical tips to reduce shipping costs.

What Is Chargeable Weight In Air Freight?

Chargeable weight is the weight airlines use to determine freight charges. Simply put, it’s the figure that appears on your invoice and determines how much you pay for airfreight. Carriers compare two key values:

Actual Weight (Gross Weight): The weight recorded on a scale, including packaging and pallets

Volumetric Weight (Dimensional Weight): A calculated weight based on cargo dimensions

(L × W × H ÷ 6000)

The higher of these two numbers becomes the air cargo chargeable weight. In some cases, airlines also apply positional weight when cargo occupies a full unit load device (ULD). Simply put, it’s the figure that appears on your invoice and determines how to calculate chargeable weight for air freight.

What Is Actual Weight In Air Freight

Actual weight is the gross weight of the shipment measured with scales. This includes pallets, cartons and any packing material. Airlines typically record weight in kilograms (1 kg = 2.205 lbs).

At acceptance, the ground handling agent verifies the actual weight and issues a weighing slip. This becomes the official record on the air waybill.

What Is Volumetric Weight In Air Freight?

Volumetric weight is especially important in air freight logistics because aircraft capacity is limited by both weight and space. A shipment that is light but bulky reduces available room for other cargo, making it less profitable for airlines if charged only by actual weight. By applying volumetric weight, carriers ensure pricing reflects the space your cargo occupies, not just its physical mass.

How to Calculate Volumetric Weight for Airfreight?

Take the following steps to calculate your shipment’s volumetric weight:

1. Take the dimensions of the cargo in centimeters (L x W x H), for example:

Length (L): 150 cm

Width (W): 70 cm

Height (H): 50 cm

2. Multiply the length, width and height:

150 cm (L) 70 cm (W) 50 cm (H) = 525,000 cm³

3. Divide the resulting figure into 6000, following the formula widely accepted by airlines (certain carriers use 5000):

525,000 / 6000= 87.6 kg

Volumetric weight can be calculated using an alternative method: dividing the resulting figure into 167, because based on 1,000,000 cm³ / 6000 = 166.6 kg, 1m³ equals 167 kg. 

We end up with 525,000 * 167 = 87,670,000 cm³, which equals 87.67m³.

Saying otherwise, 1 kg = 6000 cm³ or 1 m³ = 167 kg. 

To calculate the volumetric weight of out-of-gauge cargo, such as tires, bags, musical instrument cases, or cylindrical and other non-standard items, the maximum dimensions of these items are taken as the basis.

Note: Some airlines use 5000 instead of 6000, which increases the chargeable weight for bulky cargo. Always check with your carrier.

What is Positional Weight?

Positional weight (also called pivot weight) refers to a minimum chargeable weight assigned to a Unit Load Device (ULD). Each airline sets its own standard for this threshold. It is typically applied to non-standard or out-of-gauge cargo (such as motorcycles or oversized machinery) that cannot be stacked or consolidated with other shipments. In such cases, the shipper pays for the entire ULD position, even if the cargo does not occupy all available space, because the unused area becomes “dead space.” If the gross weight of the shipment exceeds the set pivot weight, airlines apply additional charges at fixed rates for the excess.

Calculation of Chargeable Weight

For airfreight, chargeable weight of the cargo is based on volumetric, actual or positional weight, whichever is greater. Airfreight costs are determined by multiplying carrier’s rates by (1) actual or volumetric weight or (2) positional weight of the unit load device (ULD) established by airlines.

Examples:

Example 1

Let’s take an example of soft toys. 40 kilograms of teddy bears are packed into a wooden box 250 cm X 130 cm X 120 cm. Based on the formula we mentioned above, we arrive at a chargeable weight of 600kg.

600 kg = (250 cm L * 130 cm W * 120 cm H ) / 6000

Volumetric weight by far exceeds the actual weight and therefore is used as a basis for determining the chargeable weight.

Example 2

To carry books in a box sized 90 cm X 60 cm X 50 cm with an actual weight of 60 kg, we calculate the following chargeable weight:

(90 cm L * 60 cm W * 50 cm H) * 167 = 45,090,000 cm³

This is 45 kilograms of volumetric weight, which means we are calculating the chargeable weight of shipment based on the actual weight.

Why Understanding Chargeable Weight Matters

Knowing how to calculate chargeable weight is more than just a technical detail, it directly impacts your bottom line and shipping efficiency. By understanding this concept, you can:

• Avoid hidden costs: Prevent unexpected charges by calculating in advance

• Optimise packaging: Eliminate wasted space that inflates volumetric weight

• Improve cost visibility: Plan your logistics budget more accurately

• Enhance efficiency: Choose the right freight forwarder and packing method for your cargo

Tips To Reduce Air Freight Costs

At Delta Global Solutions, we understand that cost management is a key component of your supply chain. Here is a few suggestions that will help you optimize your shipping costs:

• Use efficient packaging: Avoid oversized boxes that increase volumetric weight

• Consolidate shipments: Combine multiple small loads into one to save on space

• Check airline formulas: Confirm whether your carrier uses 6000 or 5000 as the divisor

• Communicate cargo details early: Tell your forwarder if cargo is non-stackable

• Leverage digital tools: Many logistics providers offer automated volumetric calculators

Why Does It Matter?

Calculating chargeable weight is the first step to controlling your air freight costs. Whether it’s actual, volumetric or positional weight, understanding which applies to your shipment helps you avoid hidden charges and ship more efficiently.

At Delta Global Solutions, we help businesses reduce logistics spend through optimized packaging and loading. With our expertise in logistics, we help you manage shipments more effectively and keep your supply chain running smoothly. Contact our team today for a free consultation on air freight charges and chargeable weight calculation. Let us help your business ship smarter and keep your supply chain running smoothly.