Volumetric Weight Calculator

Find the dimensional weight of a parcel and the chargeable weight your courier will actually bill.

Length (cm)

Width (cm)

Height (cm)

Actual weight (kg)

Volumetric divisor

Chargeable weight (kg)

Volumetric weight (kg): 12
Volume (m³): 0.06

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How to use the volumetric weight calculator

Choose centimetres and kilograms, or inches and pounds.
Enter the length, width and height of the packed box and its actual weight.
Check the divisor your courier uses, then read the volumetric and chargeable weight.

Volumetric weight formula

Volumetric weight (kg) = L × W × H (cm) ÷ Divisor

Dimensional weight (lb) = L × W × H (in) ÷ Divisor

Chargeable weight = the higher of actual and volumetric weight

Common divisors are 5,000 for international express couriers and 6,000 for some postal and road services in metric, and 139 for many courier services in inches and pounds. Check your carrier's current rate card.

Example

A box measures 50 × 40 × 30 cm and weighs 8 kg. Its volume is 60,000 cm³, so volumetric weight at a divisor of 5,000 is 12 kg. The courier bills the higher figure: 12 kg chargeable weight.

Why couriers use volumetric weight

Light but bulky parcels take up space in vans and planes. Volumetric weight makes shippers pay for the space a parcel uses, not just its weight, so large boxes of light products can cost much more than expected.

How to reduce chargeable weight

Use the smallest box that protects the product, avoid oversized void fill, flat-pack products where possible, and compare carriers since divisors differ.