Freight cost isn’t always based on how heavy your shipment is — for air freight especially, carriers charge on whichever is greater: the actual weight, or the volumetric weight, which reflects how much space your cargo takes up. Bags are a classic example of cargo that’s bulky for its weight, since folded totes, jute bags, and canvas bags carry a lot of air and packing space relative to their actual mass. That often pushes the volumetric figure above the actual weight, meaning air freight can cost more than a simple weight-based estimate would suggest.
Sea freight works differently. Less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments are normally billed by volume — CBM, or cubic metres — rather than a weight conversion, since ocean freight space is priced by the cubic metre a shipment occupies in the vessel.
This calculator covers both. Switch to Air Freight to get your volumetric weight, actual weight, and the chargeable weight your airline will bill against. Switch to Sea/LCL to get your shipment’s CBM directly, per carton and for your full shipment. Use either to sense-check a freight quote before you commit to an order or a shipping method.
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose your measurement unit — centimetres or inches.
- Select your freight type — Sea/LCL or Air Freight.
- Enter your carton’s width, length, and height.
- If you selected Air Freight, also enter the actual weight per carton (this isn’t needed for Sea/LCL, since sea freight is billed by volume).
- Enter the total number of cartons in your shipment.
- Click Calculate to see your per-carton and total shipment figures — CBM for sea, or chargeable weight for air.
Shipping / Volumetric Weight Calculator
Estimate the chargeable freight weight for your bag shipment — by air or by sea.
Estimated Freight Volume
Sea/LCL freight is normally billed on volume (CBM). Some forwarders apply a weight/measurement rule where 1 CBM is treated as equivalent to 1000 kg, and charge on whichever is greater — check this with your forwarder if your cargo is unusually heavy for its size.
FAQ : (Frequently Asked Questin and Answer)
What is volumetric weight in shipping?
Volumetric weight is a way of charging freight based on the space a shipment occupies, not just how heavy it is. It matters most for air freight, where carriers charge on whichever is higher — the actual weight or the volumetric weight — since light but bulky cargo like bags takes up cabin space that heavier, denser cargo would otherwise use.
How is volumetric weight calculated for air freight?
For direct airline bookings, volumetric weight is calculated as (Height x Width x Length in cm) divided by 6000, giving the result in kilograms. Some courier companies use a different divisor, so it’s worth confirming the exact figure with your specific carrier before finalizing a shipment
Is sea freight calculated the same way as air freight?
No. Sea freight, especially LCL (less than container load) shipments, is normally billed on CBM (cubic metres) rather than a weight-based divisor. CBM is calculated as (Height x Width x Length in cm) divided by 1,000,000, then multiplied by the number of cartons for the total shipment volume.
What does chargeable weight mean?
Chargeable weight is the figure your freight bill is actually based on. For air freight, it’s whichever is higher between the actual weight and the volumetric weight. For sea freight, some forwarders apply a similar rule where 1 CBM is treated as equivalent to 1000 kg, charging on whichever is greater
Why do lightweight bags sometimes cost more to ship by air than expected?
Bags like jute totes, cotton bags, and canvas bags are bulky relative to their actual weight, since they’re packed with air pockets and folds. This means their volumetric weight is often higher than their actual weight, so airlines charge based on the larger volumetric figure rather than the lighter actual weight.
I ship a bulk bag order by air or sea?
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How many cartons should I enter to get my total shipment figures?
Enter the total number of cartons you plan to ship in a single shipment. The calculator will show both the per-carton figures and the total shipment volume or chargeable weight, multiplying the per-carton result by your carton count.”
Does this calculator give the exact freight cost?
This calculator gives you the volume or chargeable weight your freight cost will be based on, not the final price itself, since freight rates vary by carrier, route, and season. Use the result to get an accurate quote from your freight forwarder or airline.
Air Freight vs. Sea Freight: How Chargeable Weight is Calculated
Air Freight vs. Sea Freight: How Chargeable Weight is Calculated
| Freight Type | Primary Billing Unit | How It’s Calculated | Why It Matters for Bags & Bulky Goods |
| Air Freight | Chargeable Weight (KG or LBS) | The greater value between Actual Weight and Volumetric (Dimensional) Weight. | Items like canvas, jute, or folded tote bags trap a lot of air. They take up significant space relative to their mass, often making the volumetric weight higher than the actual weight. |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | CBM (Cubic Metres) | Based strictly on the total Volume ($\text{Length} \times \text{Width} \times \text{Height}$) that the cargo occupies in the container. | Ocean carriers price space by the cubic metre. Weight rarely impacts the cost of LCL shipments unless the cargo is exceptionally heavy (dense). |
Key Terminology for Shippers
Actual Weight: The physical weight of your shipment on a scale (including packaging and pallets).
Volumetric / Dimensional Weight: A calculated weight that reflects the package density (Space occupied vs. Actual weight).
Chargeable Weight: The final figure carriers use to invoice you. For air freight, this is always the higher number between Actual and Volumetric weight.
CBM (Cubic Metre): The standard metric unit used to measure the volume of ocean freight shipments.