Como Calcular Peso Cubado Aéreo

When shipping goods by air, carriers often charge based on the package's volume rather than its actual weight. This is called volumetric weight, and it's calculated by multiplying the package's dimensions and dividing by a divisor specific to the carrier. In this guide, we'll explain how to calculate volumetric weight for air freight, why it matters, and how to use our interactive calculator.

What is volumetric weight?

Volumetric weight is a method used by air freight carriers to determine the shipping cost of a package. Instead of using the actual weight of the package, carriers calculate a "volumetric weight" based on the package's dimensions. This is because air freight is expensive, and carriers need a way to ensure they're not overcharging for small, lightweight packages that take up a lot of space.

The volumetric weight is then compared to the actual weight of the package. The higher of the two values is used to determine the shipping cost. This means that if your package is very light but takes up a lot of space, you might end up paying more for shipping than if you had a heavier package of the same size.

For example, if you have a package that weighs 5 kg but has dimensions of 100 cm × 50 cm × 20 cm, the volumetric weight might be calculated as 10 kg. In this case, the carrier would charge based on the volumetric weight of 10 kg, not the actual weight of 5 kg.

How to calculate volumetric weight

Calculating volumetric weight is a straightforward process that involves multiplying the package's length, width, and height, and then dividing by a divisor specific to the carrier. The formula is as follows:

Volumetric Weight = (Length × Width × Height) ÷ Divisor

Where:

Length, Width, Height - The dimensions of the package in centimeters (cm)
Divisor - A number specific to the carrier (e.g., 5000 for some carriers)

Once you have the volumetric weight, you can compare it to the actual weight of the package. The higher of the two values is used to determine the shipping cost.

The formula

The formula for calculating volumetric weight is:

Volumetric Weight (kg) = (Length × Width × Height) ÷ Divisor

Where:

Length, Width, Height - The dimensions of the package in centimeters (cm)
Divisor - A number specific to the carrier (e.g., 5000 for some carriers)

The divisor is a number that the carrier uses to convert the volume of the package into a weight. Different carriers may use different divisors, so it's important to check with your carrier to find out what divisor they use.

Worked example

Let's say you have a package with the following dimensions:

Length: 100 cm
Width: 50 cm
Height: 20 cm

And the carrier's divisor is 5000. Here's how you would calculate the volumetric weight:

Volumetric Weight = (100 × 50 × 20) ÷ 5000

Volumetric Weight = 100,000 ÷ 5000

Volumetric Weight = 20 kg

So, the volumetric weight of the package is 20 kg. If the actual weight of the package is 5 kg, the carrier would charge based on the volumetric weight of 20 kg.

Comparison table

Here's a comparison table showing the volumetric weight for different package sizes using a divisor of 5000:

Dimensions (L × W × H)	Volumetric Weight (kg)
50 cm × 30 cm × 20 cm	3.00
100 cm × 50 cm × 20 cm	20.00
150 cm × 80 cm × 50 cm	96.00
200 cm × 100 cm × 60 cm	240.00

FAQ

What is the difference between actual weight and volumetric weight?

Actual weight is the physical weight of the package, while volumetric weight is calculated based on the package's dimensions. The higher of the two values is used to determine the shipping cost.

Why do carriers use volumetric weight?

Carriers use volumetric weight because air freight is expensive, and they need a way to ensure they're not overcharging for small, lightweight packages that take up a lot of space.

How do I find out the divisor my carrier uses?

You can find out the divisor your carrier uses by checking their website or contacting their customer service department. Different carriers may use different divisors.

Can I reduce the volumetric weight of my package?

Yes, you can reduce the volumetric weight of your package by using more efficient packaging materials or by consolidating multiple small packages into a single larger package.