About this tool
Volumetric weight, explained
Enter a parcel's dimensions and its actual weight to get the billable weight a carrier will charge for, in kilograms or pounds. You also get the volumetric weight, the volume and the total for several identical parcels.
How to use it
- 1Choose the Units (cm and kg or in and lb) and how the Carrier rounds up to: Exact, Next 0.5 or Next 1. Or pick a preset: Shoebox, Medium box or Pallet.
- 2Set the Length, Width and Height, measured at the widest points, and the Actual weight from a scale.
- 3Set the number of Identical parcels and, under Carrier, the Carrier divisor from your carrier's rate guide.
- 4Read the Billable weight, which of the two weights the carrier bills, and the per parcel table.
How it works
How the billable weight is calculated
Carriers price by space as well as weight, so volumetric weight, also called dimensional weight, converts a parcel's size into an equivalent weight. The calculator multiplies length by width by height and divides by the carrier's divisor. In metric the divisor is in cubic centimetres per kilogram, often 5000 for express and air services and 6000 for some road services. In inches and pounds it is in cubic inches per pound, 139 by default. Switching units converts your figures, so 5000 becomes about 138 and 6000 about 166.
The billable weight is the higher of the actual and the volumetric weight, rounded up to the carrier's step. With the starting box, 60 × 40 × 30 cm at 9 kg and a divisor of 5000, the volumetric weight is 14.4 kg, so the carrier bills the volume, rounded up to 14.5 kg.
For several identical parcels, each one is rounded on its own, then multiplied by the number of parcels. Dimensions are used exactly as entered: if your carrier rounds each side up first, enter them that way.
Volumetric weight = Length × Width × Height / Divisor. Billable weight = max(Actual weight, Volumetric weight), rounded up to the carrier's step
When to use it
Ways people use it
Quoting shipping before you pack
Check each box size you stock with a typical product weight, and know which rate band an order falls into before it leaves.
Choosing a smaller box
Shave a few centimetres off each side and watch the billable weight. On light products the box, not the contents, often sets the price.
Comparing carriers
Turn on scenario B, set a different divisor or rounding rule, and see the billable weight under each carrier's rules side by side.
Pricing a pallet or a batch
Start from the Pallet preset or set Identical parcels, then Download CSV for the per parcel and shipment figures.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How do you calculate volumetric weight?
Multiply length, width and height in centimetres, then divide by the carrier's divisor, often 5000. The result is in kilograms. A 60 × 40 × 30 cm box at 5000 has a volumetric weight of 14.4 kg.
What is chargeable weight?
Chargeable, or billable, weight is the weight a carrier bills you for: the higher of the parcel's actual weight and its volumetric weight, usually rounded up to the next half or whole kilogram or pound.
What divisor should I use, 5000 or 6000?
Use the divisor in your carrier's rate guide or contract, since it varies by carrier and by service. 5000 is common for express and air shipping, and some road and economy services use 6000. A higher divisor gives a lower volumetric weight.
How is dimensional weight calculated in inches?
Multiply length, width and height in inches and divide by the carrier's imperial divisor, which US carriers commonly set at 139 or 166. Switch the calculator to in and lb to work this way directly.