Volumetric shipping-weight calculator
Enter the package dimensions and its actual weight, and select the divisor your carrier uses, to see the volumetric weight, the chargeable weight and which of the two applies to your shipment. Use it as a volumetric weight calculator (also called dimensional or DIM weight) before you book a shipment.
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How to use it
- Enter the packed length, width and height and choose the unit: centimetres or inches.
- Enter the actual weight of the package and choose the unit: kilograms or pounds.
- Select the divisor your carrier publishes, or type a custom divisor and set its basis.
- Enter the number of identical packages if you have more than one, then read the volumetric and chargeable weight in kg and lb.
Example
A 50 × 40 × 30 cm package has a volume of 60,000 cm³. With a divisor of 5000 the volumetric weight is 60,000 ÷ 5000 = 12 kg (26.46 lb).
The actual weight of 8 kg is lower than the 12 kg volumetric weight, so the chargeable weight is 12 kg and the volumetric weight applies.
Limits and caveats
- The tool shows no shipping prices and knows no carrier tariff. It calculates weights only.
- The divisors offered (5000, 6000, 139, 166) are common values. They are not tied to a specific carrier and are not universal. Each carrier publishes its own divisor and rounding rules, which can differ by service, so check yours.
- Carrier rounding rules (rounding dimensions, or rounding weight up to the next half kilogram) are not applied, so the weight you are billed for may be slightly higher.
- The tool assumes a rectangular box and uses the longest length, width and height. Irregular packages are usually measured by their extreme dimensions.
- Conversions are exact: 1 in = 2.54 cm and 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg. Per-package weights are rounded to two decimals, and totals are the per-package figure shown × quantity. The largest accepted dimension is 100,000 and the largest quantity is 100,000.
Questions about this tool
What is volumetric weight?
It is a notional weight worked out from the size of the package: length × width × height ÷ divisor. Carriers use it because a large, light package takes up more space than its actual weight suggests.
Which divisor should I select?
The one your carrier publishes for the service you use. The values offered here are only common starting points: 5000 and 6000 when dimensions are in centimetres and the result is in kilograms, 139 and 166 when dimensions are in inches and the result is in pounds. If your carrier uses another number, type it in the divisor field.
What is chargeable weight?
It is the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight, and it is normally what shipping is billed on. The tool tells you which one applied, and reminds you that your carrier’s rounding rules may push the number up a little.
How do I calculate volumetric weight?
Multiply length × width × height in centimetres and divide by your carrier’s divisor, with 5000 a common value. A 40 × 30 × 20 cm box has a volume of 24,000 cm³, so its volumetric weight is 24,000 ÷ 5000 = 4.8 kg. With dimensions in inches, dividing by a divisor such as 139 gives the weight in pounds.
How can I reduce the volumetric weight of a parcel?
Use the smallest box that fits the product, because volumetric weight follows the size of the package, not what is inside. With a divisor of 5000, a 50 × 40 × 30 cm box gives 12 kg, while a 40 × 30 × 30 cm box gives 7.2 kg. Measure the parcel after packing and try the dimensions in the calculator before you choose a box.