{"id":4134,"date":"2026-10-24T22:34:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-25T02:34:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextdaycargo.com\/?p=4134"},"modified":"2026-10-24T22:34:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T02:34:44","slug":"como-calcular-el-peso-volumetrico","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextdaycargo.com\/en\/como-calcular-el-peso-volumetrico\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Calculate Your Box’s Volumetric Weight for Air and Ocean Shipping"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why can a large box of clothes cost more than a small box of tools? The answer is volumetric weight<\/strong>. In air shipping, it isn’t only what the box weighs that counts, but also the space it takes up. And in ocean shipping, you pay directly by volume. Learning to calculate it helps you estimate your shipment and pay less.<\/p>\n

What volumetric weight is<\/h2>\n

Volumetric weight is a weight calculated from the box’s measurements. It reflects the space the cargo takes up on the plane. At Next Day Cargo, air shipments are charged by the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Formula for air shipments<\/h2>\n

Volumetric weight (lb) = length \u00d7 width \u00d7 height (in inches) \u00f7 139<\/strong><\/p>\n

Step by step:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Measure the box’s length, width and height in inches, at its widest point.<\/li>\n
  2. Multiply the three measurements.<\/li>\n
  3. Divide the result by 139.<\/li>\n
  4. Weigh the box in pounds.<\/li>\n
  5. Compare: you’re charged the higher number.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Formula for ocean shipments<\/h2>\n

    Cubic feet = length \u00d7 width \u00d7 height (in inches) \u00f7 1728<\/strong><\/p>\n

    By sea there’s no comparison with weight: you pay by cubic feet. A cubic inch is small; a cubic foot has 12 \u00d7 12 \u00d7 12 = 1,728 cubic inches, which is why you divide by 1728.<\/p>\n

    Examples<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Box (inches)<\/th>\nCubic inches<\/th>\nAir volumetric weight (\u00f7139)<\/th>\nOcean cubic feet (\u00f71728)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    12 \u00d7 12 \u00d7 12<\/td>\n1,728<\/td>\n\u2248 12.4 lb<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    18 \u00d7 18 \u00d7 18<\/td>\n5,832<\/td>\n\u2248 42 lb<\/td>\n3.375<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    24 \u00d7 18 \u00d7 18<\/td>\n7,776<\/td>\n\u2248 56 lb<\/td>\n4.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    24 \u00d7 24 \u00d7 24<\/td>\n13,824<\/td>\n\u2248 99.5 lb<\/td>\n8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Example 1: a light, large box<\/h3>\n

    A 24 \u00d7 18 \u00d7 18 inch box of clothes weighs 20 pounds. Its volumetric weight is about 56 pounds. By air you’re charged for 56 pounds, not 20.<\/p>\n

    Example 2: a small, heavy box<\/h3>\n

    A 12 \u00d7 12 \u00d7 12 inch box of tools weighs 35 pounds. Its volumetric weight is about 12.4 pounds. By air you’re charged for 35 pounds, the actual weight.<\/p>\n

    Example 3: the same box by sea<\/h3>\n

    The box from example 1, by sea, is 4.5 cubic feet, whether it weighs 20 or 60 pounds.<\/p>\n

    How to measure your box properly<\/h2>\n