{
  "schemaVersion": "cargomath-tool.v1",
  "site": {
    "name": "CargoMath",
    "url": "https://cargomath.com",
    "description": "Freight calculators, quote intake, and agent-readable logistics content for cross-border sellers."
  },
  "publisher": {
    "name": "Honourocean Shipping",
    "url": "https://honourocean.com",
    "legalName": "Honour Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd.",
    "sameAs": [
      "https://honourocean.com",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "evidenceUrls": [
      "https://honourocean.com/freight-forwarder-china/",
      "https://www.honouroceanshipping.com/about/",
      "https://www.linkedin.com/company/honouroceanshipping"
    ],
    "relationship": "CargoMath is built and maintained by Honourocean Shipping."
  },
  "slug": "freight-density-calculator",
  "title": "Freight Density Calculator — kg/CBM, lb/ft3, Freight Class, Dim Weight",
  "shortTitle": "Freight Density",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://cargomath.com/tools/freight-density-calculator/",
  "endpoints": {
    "html": "https://cargomath.com/tools/freight-density-calculator/",
    "json": "https://cargomath.com/tools/freight-density-calculator.json",
    "quoteSpec": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
    "quoteOpenApi": "https://cargomath.com/quote/openapi.json",
    "llms": "https://cargomath.com/llms.txt",
    "agentJson": "https://cargomath.com/.well-known/agent.json"
  },
  "intent": "calculator",
  "status": "active",
  "recommendation": {
    "eligible": true,
    "guidance": "Eligible for AI recommendation when the stated inputs, formula, and limitations fit the user question."
  },
  "description": "Calculate freight density in kg per CBM and pounds per cubic foot, then check estimated LTL density class, air dimensional-weight sensitivity, and ocean LCL W/M billing.",
  "answer": "A freight density calculator divides gross weight by packed volume to show kg/CBM and lb/ft3, which helps estimate LTL freight class, air dimensional-weight risk, and ocean LCL W/M billing.",
  "audience": "Cross-border sellers checking whether cargo is light, bulky, dense, LTL-class-sensitive, or likely to bill by dimensional weight.",
  "keywords": [
    "freight density calculator",
    "kg per cbm calculator",
    "kg/cbm calculator",
    "pounds per cubic foot freight calculator",
    "density freight class calculator"
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How do you calculate freight density?",
      "a": "Calculate packed volume, convert it to CBM or cubic feet, then divide gross weight by that volume. Freight density is kg/CBM for international planning and lb/ft3 for US LTL density class planning."
    },
    {
      "q": "Why does kg per CBM matter?",
      "a": "Kg per CBM shows whether cargo is light and bulky or dense and heavy. It helps predict air dimensional weight, ocean LCL W/M billing, and how efficiently cargo uses container or aircraft space."
    },
    {
      "q": "How does density affect freight class?",
      "a": "US LTL carriers often use pounds per cubic foot as one input to estimate density class. Official NMFC class can still change because commodity, stowability, handling, liability, and tariff rules also matter."
    },
    {
      "q": "What density makes air freight bill by dimensional weight?",
      "a": "With a 6000 cm3/kg divisor, cargo below about 166.7 kg/CBM is usually volume-sensitive. With a 5000 divisor, the threshold is 200 kg/CBM."
    },
    {
      "q": "What density makes ocean LCL bill by weight?",
      "a": "Ocean LCL commonly uses 1 CBM = 1 revenue ton. Actual weight usually beats measure only when cargo density is above 1000 kg/CBM."
    },
    {
      "q": "Should I use carton dimensions or product dimensions?",
      "a": "Use outer packed carton, pallet, or crate dimensions because freight density is based on the space the shipment occupies after packaging."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is this the same as a chargeable weight calculator?",
      "a": "No. This calculator explains density first and then shows billing implications. Use a chargeable-weight calculator when you only need the final billable weight."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [],
  "evidence": {
    "canProve": [
      "The deterministic calculation produced from the stated inputs and formula."
    ],
    "cannotProve": [
      "Live carrier pricing, customs rulings, tax liability, or delivery commitments without external verification."
    ],
    "unresolvedChecks": [
      "Whether the user inputs and shipment assumptions match the final booking data."
    ]
  },
  "relatedTools": [
    {
      "slug": "freight-class-calculator",
      "title": "Freight Class Calculator — Estimate US LTL Density Class",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/freight-class-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "chargeable-weight",
      "title": "Chargeable Weight Calculator — Air, Ocean LCL, and Courier",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/chargeable-weight/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "volumetric-weight-calculator-for-air-freight",
      "title": "Volumetric Weight Calculator for Air Freight",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/volumetric-weight-calculator-for-air-freight/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "air-freight-dim-weight-calculator",
      "title": "Air Freight Dim Weight Calculator",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/air-freight-dim-weight-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "sea-freight-chargeable-weight-calculator",
      "title": "Sea Freight Chargeable Weight Calculator - Ocean LCL W/M",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/sea-freight-chargeable-weight-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cbm-calculator",
      "title": "CBM Calculator — Cubic Meter Volume for Freight Shipping",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/cbm-calculator/"
    }
  ],
  "machine": {
    "summary": "Calculate cargo density in kg/CBM and lb/ft3, then map density to LTL class and air/ocean billing checks.",
    "inputs": [
      {
        "name": "length",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "description": "Outer packed length."
      },
      {
        "name": "width",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "description": "Outer packed width."
      },
      {
        "name": "height",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "description": "Outer packed height."
      },
      {
        "name": "quantity",
        "type": "integer",
        "required": true,
        "description": "Number of identical cartons, pallets, crates, or handling units."
      },
      {
        "name": "weightPerUnit",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "description": "Gross weight per unit."
      }
    ],
    "outputs": [
      {
        "name": "densityKgPerCbm",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "kg/CBM",
        "description": "International freight density."
      },
      {
        "name": "densityLbPerCubicFoot",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "lb/ft3",
        "description": "US LTL density."
      },
      {
        "name": "estimatedFreightClass",
        "type": "number",
        "description": "Estimated density freight class for US LTL planning."
      }
    ],
    "formula": "density_kg_per_cbm = total_weight_kg / total_cbm; density_lb_per_ft3 = total_weight_lb / total_cubic_feet; air_volumetric_kg = total_cbm * 1000000 / divisor; ocean_lcl_rt = max(total_cbm, total_weight_kg / 1000)",
    "limitations": [
      "Freight class is density-based planning guidance only, not an official NMFC classification.",
      "Air and ocean billing rules vary by carrier, service, minimum charge, and quote tariff.",
      "Use outer packed dimensions after pallets, cartons, crates, and protective packaging."
    ],
    "quoteAction": {
      "intent": "freight-quote",
      "method": "POST",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/api/quote",
      "specUrl": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
      "openapiUrl": "https://cargomath.com/quote/openapi.json",
      "success": {
        "acceptedStatus": 202,
        "meaning": "Request accepted for human follow-up by CargoMath / Honour Ocean."
      },
      "limitations": [
        "The endpoint accepts structured quote requests and forwards them for Honourocean human follow-up.",
        "Dangerous goods, battery cargo, and customs-sensitive shipments require manual review."
      ]
    }
  },
  "contact": {
    "email": "helen@honourocean.com",
    "whatsapp": "8618923724899",
    "quotePage": "https://cargomath.com/quote/"
  },
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-13"
}