Carton CBM & Volumetric Weight Calculator
Work out shipping volume and chargeable weight for your packaging cartons, the figures that decide freight cost. Enter carton dimensions in centimetres and quantity to get CBM per carton and per shipment, volumetric weight and the chargeable weight carriers actually bill. One CBM equals 1,000,000 cm³; air freight bills the greater of actual and volumetric weight.
Carton volume & freight
Carton dimensions in centimetres.
Actual vs volumetric weight
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CBM & chargeable weight
Freight is billed on whichever is greater: the real weight or the space the goods occupy.
- CBM per carton = L × W × H ÷ 1,000,000 (cm)
- Volumetric weight (kg) = L × W × H ÷ divisor — divisor 6000 for air freight, 5000 for express courier.
- Chargeable weight = the greater of actual and volumetric weight.
- Sea LCL is usually billed per CBM or per 1,000 kg (W/M), whichever is greater.
Light, bulky packaging is almost always charged on volume, which is why carton efficiency matters.
Volumetric divisors by shipping mode
Carriers convert volume to a billable weight using a divisor. The common values:
| Mode | Divisor (cm³/kg) | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Air freight (general) | 6000 | 1 CBM ≈ 167 kg |
| Express courier (DHL/FedEx/UPS) | 5000 | 1 CBM ≈ 200 kg |
| Sea LCL | — | per CBM or per 1,000 kg (W/M) |
Ready to order? Get these bag types made
Turn the numbers above into a finished spec sheet. Send us your dimensions, material and quantity and our engineers reply with a firm quote and free samples within one business day, produced in-house at our own cleanroom facility.
Stand-Up PouchesResealable, shelf-ready pouches for food, coffee & supplements
Mylar BagsHigh-barrier mylar for long shelf life & light protection
Flat-Bottom BagsBox pouches with a premium, four-panel shelf presence
Kraft Paper BagsNatural kraft with recyclable & compostable optionsNeed this spec produced, not just calculated?
YLTPACK is a direct manufacturer of custom flexible packaging, producing in-house since 2005 in a cleanroom facility. Send us your target numbers and our team will confirm feasibility and quote, with free design support included.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate CBM for a shipment?
Multiply length × width × height of one carton in centimetres, divide by 1,000,000 to get CBM per carton, then multiply by the number of cartons.
What is volumetric (dimensional) weight?
It is a weight figure derived from the space a carton occupies: L × W × H in cm divided by a divisor (6000 for air freight, 5000 for express couriers). It reflects that bulky, light cargo uses up capacity.
What is chargeable weight?
The weight the carrier bills you for. It is the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight.
Can YLTPACK optimise carton and master-carton packing for freight?
Yes. Share your bag size and order quantity and our team will suggest carton and master-carton layouts that reduce volume and freight cost.
Results are engineering estimates for planning and quoting. Real-world values vary with material lot, structure, tolerance and process. For production-grade figures, confirm with our team.