Volume to Weight Calculator
Shipping volumetric weight (what carriers bill) — or material weight from density.
| Water | 1,000 kg |
| Petrol | 745 kg |
| Dry sand | 1,600 kg |
| Concrete | 2,400 kg |
| Steel | 7,850 kg |
| Express freight (billed) | 200 kg |
| Air cargo (billed) | 167 kg |
“Volume to weight” means two different things. Shipping: carriers convert your parcel’s volume into a volumetric weight and bill the greater of that and the scale weight — use the calculator at the top. Physics: a material’s real weight is volume × density — use the material converter. Same phrase, different math; this page does both so you don’t have to guess which one you needed.
How do I convert volume to weight?+
It depends on what you mean. For shipping, volume converts to a billable "volumetric weight": L × W × H (cm) ÷ a carrier divisor (5,000 for express couriers, 6,000 for air cargo). For physical materials, weight = volume × density: 1 m³ of water is 1,000 kg, 1 m³ of dry sand ≈ 1,600 kg.
How many kg is 1 m³ in shipping?+
Express couriers (DHL/UPS/FedEx): 1 m³ = 200 kg volumetric (÷5,000). IATA air cargo: 1 m³ ≈ 167 kg (÷6,000). Australian domestic (cubic weight): 1 m³ = 250 kg. Sea freight LCL: 1 CBM is rated against 1,000 kg (W/M rule).
How do I convert litres to kg?+
Multiply litres by the material’s density in kg/L. Water is 1 kg/L, so 25 L of water = 25 kg. Cooking oil ≈ 0.92 kg/L, petrol ≈ 0.75 kg/L. Use the material converter above and pick or type the density.
Why is my shipped weight higher than the scale weight?+
Carriers bill the greater of actual and volumetric weight. A light, bulky box "weighs" more in billing terms because it occupies space — use the shipping calculator above to see which weight wins.
Can I convert weight back to volume?+
Yes — volume = weight ÷ density. 500 kg of dry sand ÷ 1,600 kg/m³ ≈ 0.31 m³. Type your density into the material converter and work in reverse.