Glossar

The cubic factor is a conversion factor used in logistics to calculate the volumetric weight of a shipment based on its dimensions. It establishes a relationship between the space occupied by goods and their calculated weight for freight billing purposes.
In transport logistics, the cubic factor helps account for shipments that occupy a large amount of space but have a relatively low actual weight. Depending on the carrier and mode of transport, different conversion factors may apply. The resulting volumetric weight is often compared with the actual weight to determine the chargeable weight.

Practical example:
A parcel measures 60 × 40 × 50 cm, resulting in a volume of 120,000 cm³. Using a volumetric divisor of 5,000 cm³/kg, the calculated volumetric weight is 24 kg. If the actual weight is only 15 kg, the carrier may use the higher volumetric weight for freight calculation.

See also: Dimension Recording, DWS, Freight, Measurement Accuracy, Shipping, Transportation Optimization, Volume Detection, Weight Recording