Volumetric Weight Calculator (Metric)
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Volumetric weight (kg) = (L × W × H in cm) ÷ divisor — the international, metric counterpart to US dimensional weight.
Package dimensions (cm)
Volumetric weight
12 kg
Raw: 12 kg
- Raw volumetric weight
- 12 kg
- Rounded (chargeable)
- 12 kg
Related calculators
Metric volumetric weight
Volumetric (chargeable) weight is the metric, international equivalent of US dimensional weight. Dimensions are entered in centimeters and divided by a standard divisor to produce a weight in kilograms, then rounded up — the same principle carriers use to bill bulky, lightweight parcels fairly relative to the space they occupy.
The IATA air freight standard uses a divisor of 5,000 (cm³ per kg), widely used by international couriers like DHL and postal air services. Some ground/sea freight forwarders use different divisors (commonly 4,000 or 6,000) — always confirm the divisor with your specific carrier or freight forwarder before quoting.
Example: a parcel measuring 50 × 40 × 30 cm has a volume of 60,000 cm³. Divided by the standard 5,000 divisor, that is 12 kg of volumetric weight — the carrier bills whichever is greater between this and the parcel's actual scale weight.
Common questions
What divisor should I use for international shipping?
5,000 is the IATA air freight standard used by most international couriers. Some ground or sea freight services use 4,000 or 6,000 — confirm with your specific carrier.
How is this different from dimensional weight?
They use the same underlying principle — volume divided by a divisor — but volumetric weight typically uses centimeters and kilograms (international standard), while US dimensional weight uses inches, pounds, and a divisor of 139 or 166.