Cubic Rate Calculator
250 kg/m³ (Standard Road Freight)
167 kg/m³ (Standard Air Freight)
333 kg/m³ (Express Road)
1000 kg/m³ (Sea Freight LCL)
Custom…
Total Volume:
0.00 m³
Total Actual Weight:
0.00 kg
Volumetric (Cubic) Weight:
0.00 kg
Chargeable Weight:
0.00 kg
What is a Cubic Rate Calculator?
A Cubic Rate Calculator is an essential logistics tool used to determine the chargeable weight of a shipment. In the freight industry, carriers charge based on either the actual gross weight or the volumetric (cubic) weight of the cargo—whichever is greater.
This method ensures that carriers are compensated fairly for lightweight, bulky items that take up significant space in a truck, plane, or shipping container but weigh very little (like pillows or foam), as well as for dense, heavy items (like steel parts).
How is Cubic Weight Calculated?
The calculation involves converting the physical dimensions of the freight into a theoretical weight based on a density factor known as the Cubic Conversion Factor.
The standard formula used in this calculator is:
- Volume (m³) = (Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 1,000,000
- Cubic Weight (kg) = Volume (m³) × Conversion Factor
Common Conversion Factors
Different modes of transport use different standard cubic conversion factors:
- Road Freight (Standard): Typically 250 kg per m³. This implies 1 cubic meter of space is billed as if it weighs 250 kg.
- Air Freight: Typically 167 kg per m³ (derived from the 6000 cm³/kg rule).
- Sea Freight (LCL): Typically 1000 kg per m³.
Why Chargeable Weight Matters
The Chargeable Weight is the final figure used to calculate your shipping invoice. It is simply the higher value between the Total Actual Weight and the Cubic Weight. Understanding this helps shippers optimize packaging to reduce volume and save on freight costs.