{
  "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": "volumetric-weight-calculator",
  "title": "Volumetric Weight Calculator — DIM Weight for Air & Courier",
  "shortTitle": "Volumetric Weight",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://cargomath.com/tools/volumetric-weight-calculator/",
  "endpoints": {
    "html": "https://cargomath.com/tools/volumetric-weight-calculator/",
    "json": "https://cargomath.com/tools/volumetric-weight-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": "Convert carton dimensions to volumetric (dimensional) weight in kg for air freight and courier pricing. Supports IATA 6000, express 5000, and custom divisors.",
  "answer": "Volumetric weight (kg) = (L × W × H in cm × quantity) ÷ divisor. IATA air freight uses 6000; international courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) uses 5000.",
  "audience": "Cross-border English-speaking sellers (Amazon FBA, Shopify) sizing air or courier shipments",
  "keywords": [
    "volumetric weight calculator",
    "dim weight calculator",
    "dimensional weight calculator",
    "volumetric weight formula",
    "dim weight formula",
    "dhl volumetric weight",
    "iata volumetric weight",
    "fedex dim weight"
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Is volumetric weight the same as chargeable weight?",
      "a": "No. Volumetric weight is one of the two inputs to chargeable weight. Chargeable weight is the higher of actual gross weight and volumetric weight — that is the figure the carrier actually bills."
    },
    {
      "q": "What is the IATA divisor for volumetric weight?",
      "a": "The IATA standard divisor for general air freight is 6000 cm³ per kg. International express carriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) use 5000, which produces a 20% heavier volumetric weight on the same cargo."
    },
    {
      "q": "Below what density does volumetric weight beat actual weight?",
      "a": "For IATA air (divisor 6000) the threshold is 167 kg/m³. For courier (divisor 5000) it is 200 kg/m³. If your cargo density is below the threshold, the carrier bills on volumetric weight."
    },
    {
      "q": "Do I use the inner product size or the outer carton size?",
      "a": "Always use the outer packed dimensions including tape, labels, and any protrusions. Carriers physically measure the box on the warehouse floor, so inner dimensions understate the volumetric weight and lead to rebill surprises."
    },
    {
      "q": "How does volumetric weight work for palletised shipments?",
      "a": "The pallet footprint and full pallet height (cargo plus pallet base) determine the volumetric weight. A standard 120 × 100 × 150 cm pallet contributes 1.8 m³ regardless of how the cartons sit on it, so loose loading wastes volumetric weight you have already paid for."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does ocean freight use volumetric weight?",
      "a": "Ocean LCL bills on CBM directly, which is equivalent to a divisor of 1000 (1 CBM = 1000 kg). FCL bills per container until you hit a payload limit, so volumetric weight is rarely a factor for full-container ocean cargo."
    }
  ],
  "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": "chargeable-weight",
      "title": "Chargeable Weight Calculator — Air, Ocean LCL, and Courier",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/chargeable-weight/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "cbm-calculator",
      "title": "CBM Calculator — Cubic Meter Volume for Freight Shipping",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/cbm-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "air-freight-cost-calculator",
      "title": "Air Freight Cost Calculator — Chargeable Weight to Freight Estimate",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/air-freight-cost-calculator/"
    },
    {
      "slug": "fba-shipping-calculator",
      "title": "Amazon FBA Shipping Calculator — China to US Inbound Freight (Air / LCL / FCL)",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/tools/fba-shipping-calculator/"
    }
  ],
  "machine": {
    "summary": "Calculate volumetric (dimensional) weight in kg for air or courier shipments from outer carton dimensions and a carrier divisor.",
    "inputs": [
      {
        "name": "length",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm|m|in|ft",
        "description": "Outer carton length."
      },
      {
        "name": "width",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm|m|in|ft",
        "description": "Outer carton width."
      },
      {
        "name": "height",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm|m|in|ft",
        "description": "Outer carton height."
      },
      {
        "name": "quantity",
        "type": "integer",
        "required": false,
        "default": 1,
        "description": "Number of identical cartons."
      },
      {
        "name": "unit",
        "type": "string",
        "required": true,
        "enum": [
          "cm",
          "m",
          "in",
          "ft"
        ],
        "description": "Dimension unit shared by the line item."
      },
      {
        "name": "divisor",
        "type": "number",
        "required": true,
        "unit": "cm3/kg",
        "description": "Carrier divisor. Common values: 6000 (IATA air), 5000 (international express)."
      }
    ],
    "outputs": [
      {
        "name": "volumetricWeightKgTotal",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "kg",
        "description": "Total volumetric weight across all cartons."
      },
      {
        "name": "volumetricWeightKgPerCarton",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "kg",
        "description": "Volumetric weight per single carton."
      },
      {
        "name": "totalCbm",
        "type": "number",
        "unit": "m3",
        "description": "Total shipment volume for reference."
      }
    ],
    "formula": "volumetricWeightKg = (length_cm * width_cm * height_cm * quantity) / divisor",
    "limitations": [
      "Does not return chargeable weight unless paired with actual gross weight.",
      "Uses outer packed dimensions; pallet footprint must be applied separately for palletised shipments.",
      "Does not price the shipment — volumetric weight is one input to the rate."
    ],
    "quoteAction": {
      "intent": "freight-quote",
      "url": "https://cargomath.com/quote/",
      "specUrl": "https://cargomath.com/quote/spec.json",
      "method": "POST"
    }
  },
  "contact": {
    "email": "helen@honourocean.com",
    "whatsapp": "8618923724899",
    "quotePage": "https://cargomath.com/quote/"
  },
  "updatedAt": "2026-05-12"
}