Air freight calculator
Enter the pieces, then the rate per kg from your airline or agent. You get the chargeable weight, the freight with the minimum charge, surcharges, and the sell price after your markup or margin.
How to calculate air freight cost
Freight = max(chargeable kg × rate per kg, minimum charge)
Buy cost = freight + surcharges per kg × chargeable kg + fixed fees
Sell = buy × (1 + markup) or buy ÷ (1 − margin)
Worked example: 2 pallets Zurich to Dubai
Each pallet is 120 × 80 × 100 cm and weighs 150 kg. The airline quotes USD 3.60/kg at +300 kg, minimum USD 75, fuel and security USD 0.85/kg. AWB fee and handling are USD 65. You add a 15% markup.
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Actual weight | 150 × 2 | 300 kg |
| Volumetric weight | 120 × 80 × 100 × 2 ÷ 6000 | 320 kg |
| Chargeable weight | max(300, 320) | 320 kg |
| Freight | 320 × 3.60 (above the 75 minimum) | USD 1,152.00 |
| Surcharges | 320 × 0.85 | USD 272.00 |
| Fixed fees | AWB + handling | USD 65.00 |
| Buy cost | 1,152 + 272 + 65 | USD 1,489.00 |
| Sell price | 1,489 × 1.15 | USD 1,712.35 |
Your profit is USD 223.35: a 15% markup, which is a 13.0% margin. With a 15% margin instead, the sell price is 1,489 ÷ 0.85 = USD 1,751.76. See margin vs markup.
Air freight weight breaks
| Break | Chargeable weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| M | any | minimum charge per shipment |
| N | under 45 kg | normal rate, the highest per kg |
| +45 | 45 to 99 kg | small cartons |
| +100 | 100 to 299 kg | one pallet |
| +300 | 300 to 499 kg | two or three pallets |
| +500 / +1000 | 500 kg and more | larger consignments |
Pick the rate for the break your chargeable weight falls in. When a higher break is cheaper in total, many agents bill the higher break weight instead ("as for"): 290 kg at the +300 rate can cost less than 290 kg at the +100 rate.
Turn it into a client quote.
QUAY does the same on your Android phone: rate per kg with a minimum, surcharges and fees, markup or margin. Then it shares a PDF quote that shows your client the sell prices only, never your buy cost.
QUAY is in closed testing on Google Play and opens to everyone in mid-October 2026. To try it now: join the beta group with your Google account, then open the tester page and tap "Become a tester".
What is the minimum charge?
The lowest amount billed per shipment. A 15 kg box at USD 3.60/kg is USD 54, so with a USD 75 minimum you pay USD 75.
Surcharges on actual or chargeable weight?
Most airlines charge fuel and security per chargeable kg. Some use the actual weight: check your rate sheet.
Can I use it for LCL?
Yes. Switch to LCL: the rate and surcharges then apply per W/M (the greater of CBM and metric tons, minimum 1).
Does it convert currencies?
No. The currency is a label. Enter every amount in the same currency as your rate.