Free tool

Freight & container calculator for import & export

Compute chargeable weight (Air / Road / Sea LCL / Express), total CBM, a 20' / 40' / 40'HC container suggestion and fill rate - by both volume and payload. Built for freight forwarders, logistics sales & shippers.

Worksheet
Shipping method
Package list
Enter dimensions & weight for each package type - totalled automatically
Enter by
Package descriptionQtyLength (cm)Width (cm)Height (cm)Wt/pc (kg)StackingCBMVolumetric wt
1--
2--
3--
Total · -0.000.0
Each row auto-suggests stacking by package type - tap the icon to change it. Non-stackable cargo is measured by floor area.
Notes & formulas
  • CBM = Length × Width × Height (m) × quantity.
  • Air: chargeable wt = max(GW, volume cm³ ÷ 6000). Road ÷ 3000 · Express ÷ 5000.
  • Sea LCL: Revenue Ton = max(CBM, tonnes) under the W/M rule (1 R/T = 1 CBM or 1,000 kg).
  • Container count = the greater of the volume/floor-area need and the payload need, rounded up.
  • Results are indicative for planning - they don't account for dunnage, irregular packages, or carrier-specific rules.
Results

Enter package dimensions & weight to see chargeable weight and a container suggestion.

How to calculate chargeable weight & container count

This tool helps freight forwarders, logistics sales and shippers estimate freight cost and plan container loading in seconds.

1

Enter your package list

Add each package type with quantity, dimensions (L × W × H) and weight. The tool totals CBM and GW automatically, like a packing list.

2

Choose the shipping method

Air (÷6000), Road (÷3000), Sea LCL (revenue ton W/M) or Express (÷5000) - chargeable weight follows the correct rule for each method.

3

See the container suggestion

Get a 20'/40'/40'HC suggestion with fill rate by both volume and payload, plus heavy / light-bulky cargo warnings.

Frequently asked questions

Everything about freight cost & container loading

What is chargeable weight?
Chargeable weight is the greater of the actual (gross) weight and the volumetric weight. Carriers charge on this value to compensate for light but bulky cargo.
How is CBM calculated?
CBM (cubic metres) = Length × Width × Height (converted to metres) × number of packages. For example, a 60×40×40 cm box = 0.096 m³; 20 boxes total 1.92 CBM.
What conversion factor is used for air cargo?
The tool uses the IATA standard factor of 6000 for air cargo (1 m³ = 167 kg). Some express carriers use 5000 (1 m³ = 200 kg); in this tool the Express method is already computed at ÷5000.
What is Revenue Ton (W/M) in LCL?
For sea LCL cargo, freight is charged on Revenue Ton = max(CBM, tonnes). 1 R/T equals 1 CBM or 1,000 kg - whichever is greater is used to charge freight.
What's the difference between stackable and non-stackable?
If cargo can be stacked, container count is driven by volume. If it can't be stacked (e.g. machinery, fragile goods), the tool counts a single floor layer, so container count is limited by floor area - usually requiring more containers.