Dimensional Weight Calculator
Calculate dimensional (volumetric) weight from package length, width and height, then compare it with the actual weight to find the chargeable weight. Supports four carrier formulas: IATA air freight, express couriers, EU carriers and US domestic.
Dimensional Weight Calculator Tool
Enter package dimensions and weight to calculate dimensional weight.
What Is Dimensional Weight?
Dimensional weight, also called volumetric weight, is a shipping pricing method that estimates weight from a package's volume rather than its actual scale weight. Carriers introduced it so that large, lightweight parcels — which take up space in a truck or aircraft — are priced fairly alongside small, dense ones.
The chargeable weight used for billing is the greater of the actual weight and the dimensional weight. A heavy, compact parcel is charged on its actual weight, while a light, bulky parcel is charged on its dimensional weight.
How Dimensional Weight Is Calculated
The calculator follows three steps:
- Volume = length multiplied by width multiplied by height.
- Dimensional weight = volume divided by the carrier divisor.
- Chargeable weight = the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight.
The tool stores four carrier formulas. IATA air freight uses a divisor of 6000 (cm/kg). Express couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS use 5000 (cm/kg). Some EU carriers use 7000 (cm/kg). US domestic shipping uses 139 (in/lb). The calculator also shows the air freight and express dimensional weights alongside the chargeable weight.
How to Use the Dimensional Weight Calculator
- Choose centimetres or inches as the measurement unit.
- Enter the package length, width and height.
- Enter the actual weight (in kilograms for centimetres, or pounds for inches).
- Select the carrier formula from the dropdown.
- Review the package volume, the air freight and express dimensional weights, and the chargeable weight.
Dimensional Weight Calculation Example
Suppose a package measures 50 by 40 by 30 centimetres with an actual weight of 5 kilograms, using the Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS) formula with a divisor of 5000:
| Volume | 60,000 cm³ |
| Air freight dim weight (÷6000) | 10.0 kg |
| Express dim weight (÷5000) | 12.0 kg |
| Actual weight | 5.0 kg |
| Chargeable weight | 12.0 kg |
The dimensional weight (12 kg) is greater than the actual weight (5 kg), so the carrier charges based on 12 kg. Enter your own package dimensions for a tailored result.
よくある質問
What is dimensional weight?
Dimensional weight, also called volumetric weight, is an estimate of a package’s weight based on its volume rather than the scale reading. Carriers use it so that large, lightweight parcels are priced fairly compared with small, dense ones. The chargeable weight is the greater of the actual weight and the dimensional weight.
How is dimensional weight calculated?
The calculator multiplies length, width and height to get the package volume, then divides by a carrier-specific divisor. For centimetres and kilograms, IATA air freight uses 6000, express couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS use 5000, and some EU carriers use 7000. For inches and pounds, the US domestic divisor is 139. The result is compared with the actual weight, and the larger value is the chargeable weight.
Why does package size affect shipping weight?
A carrier’s vehicle or aircraft has limited space. A box that is large but light takes up room that could hold denser cargo, so carriers price by whichever is greater — actual weight or dimensional weight — to recover the cost of the space used.
What information do I need to calculate dimensional weight?
You need the three package dimensions (length, width and height), the actual weight, the measurement unit (centimetres or inches), and the carrier formula you want to apply. The tool then shows the volume, the air freight and express dimensional weights, and the chargeable weight.
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