For the convenience of our valued clients, we created a shipping density calculator. You can find frequently used conversions and calculations to measure the density and volume of your freight shipments all in one place.
To determine the cubic dimensions of a shipment, measure the length, width and height. Next, multiply the length by the width by the height to obtain the cubic dimensions in inches.
Length 24″, width 18″, height 18″
24″ x 18″ x 18″ = 7,776 cubic inches
To convert cubic inches to cubic feet, divide cubic inches by 1,728 (the number of cubic inches in a cubic foot).
7,776 % 1,728 = 4.5 cubic feet
To determine the density, divide the weight of the shipment (80 pounds) by the number of cubic feet.
80 % 4.5 = 17.78 pounds per cubic foot
To determine the dimensional weight, divide cubic inches by 194 (the dimensional factor).
7,776 % 197 = 40.08 dimensional pounds
In cases where the shipment is palletized, the dimensions of the pallet determine cubic dimensions. Although the original dimensions of the carton remain the same, the cubic dimensions now include the pallet.
Length 48″, width 40″, height 24″ (carton height of 18″ plus pallet height of 6″)
48″ x 40″ x 24″ = 46,080 cubic inches
Convert to feet by dividing by 1,728
46,080 % 1,728 = 26.7 cubic feet
The density then equals the weight, 110 pounds (80 lbs for the carton and approximately 30 lbs for the pallet), divided by the number of cubic feet.
110 % 26.7 = 4.12 pounds per cubic foot
80lb. Carton + 30 lb. Carton = 110 lb. Total
Following are a few conversion constants to help when converting to and from metric.
| Length | Weight | Volume | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters | 1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds | 1 cubic foot = 1,728 cubic inches | 1 kg/cubic meter = .0625 lbs/cubic foot |
| 1 foot = 30.48 centimeters | 1 cubic meter = 35.316 cubic feet | 1 lbs/cubic foot = 16 kg | |
| 1 meter = 39.37 inches | 1 cubic meter = 1.3080 cubic yard | ||
| 1 meter = 3.28 feet | |||
| 1 meter = 1.0936 yard |
Whether you're a company looking to improve one facet of your supply chain, your entire supply chain, or simply looking for a transportation and logistics consultation, we can help.
