Air Freight Chargeable Weight: Actual Weight vs Dimensional Weight

2 min read. Updated Jan 2026

Understand how to calculate air freight chargeable weight, including actual weight and dimensional weight formulas, to optimize shipping costs.

One of the most critical concepts in air freight is chargeable weight—the weight used to calculate shipping costs. Airlines always charge based on the greater of two values: actual weight or dimensional weight (also called volumetric weight).

 • Actual Weight: The physical weight of the cargo, measured with a scale (expressed in kg or lbs).  

 • Dimensional Weight: A calculation reflecting the package’s volume, as large, lightweight items 

 occupy valuable cargo space. 

 The international standard formula is:  

 Dimensional Weight (kg) = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ÷ 6000.

 Note: Some carriers use ÷ 5000 for specific routes or light cargo.

Example: A shipment with actual weight 100kg and dimensions 100cm×100cm×100cm has a dimensional weight of (100×100×100)÷6000 ≈ 167kg. The chargeable weight will be 167kg.

Understanding this calculation helps shippers optimize packaging (e.g., compressing lightweight goods) to reduce costs.