Volumetric Weight Calculator
Find the volumetric weight of a parcel in centimetres or inches with the carrier divisor, such as 5000, 6000 or 139, and the chargeable weight: the greater of volumetric and actual weight.
Runs in your browser — nothing is uploadedWork out what a courier will actually charge
Couriers and airlines do not always charge by the weight on the scales. A light but bulky parcel is billed on its volumetric weight instead: a figure worked out from its size. Enter the length, width and height, the actual weight and the carrier divisor, and this calculator returns both weights and the one you will be charged.
It works in centimetres and kilograms with divisors such as 5000 and 6000, or in inches and pounds with 139 and 166. Switch on carrier rounding to round each piece up to the next half kilogram or whole pound, as many rate cards do.
What Volumetric Weight Calculator gives you
Carrier presets
International express, IATA air, road express, FedEx and UPS in the US, USPS, or a custom divisor.
Metric or imperial
Centimetres and kilograms, or inches and pounds, each with its own divisors.
Carrier rounding
Optionally round each piece up to the next 0.5 kg or 1 lb.
Several pieces
Multiply by the number of identical parcels in one step.
Runs in your browser
The dimensions you type are not sent anywhere.
How to use Volumetric Weight Calculator
Enter the size
Length, width and height of the packed parcel.
Enter the weight
The actual weight on the scales and the number of pieces.
Pick the divisor
The carrier and service, or the number on your rate card.
Other names for this tool
People also look for this as dimensional weight calculator, dim weight calculator, chargeable weight calculator, volume weight calculator, courier volumetric calculator, dim factor calculator and air freight volumetric calculator. It is the same tool on this page.
Looking for the opposite job? CBM Calculator.
Limitations
- Divisors vary by carrier and service and must be confirmed.
- Does not apply any minimum chargeable weight a carrier may set.
Questions about Volumetric Weight Calculator
What is volumetric weight?
A weight worked out from size rather than the scales: length times width times height divided by a carrier divisor, such as 5000 for centimetres and kilograms or 139 for inches and pounds. Light but bulky parcels are billed on it.
Which divisor should I use?
It depends on the carrier and service: 6000 for IATA air freight, 5000 for international express couriers, 139 for FedEx and UPS in the US, 166 for USPS. Check your carrier’s rate card and set it here.
How is volumetric weight calculated?
Multiply length by width by height, then divide by the carrier divisor: commonly 5000 or 6000 for centimetres and kilograms, or 139 for inches and pounds. The result is a weight that stands in for the space the parcel takes up.
What is the chargeable weight?
The greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Carriers rate a shipment on whichever is larger, so a bulky parcel can cost more than its scale weight suggests.
Why do carriers use a divisor?
The divisor turns volume into a weight so that space in a vehicle is paid for, not just mass. A smaller divisor, such as 4000, produces a higher volumetric weight and so a higher charge.
Which divisor is right for air freight?
IATA air freight uses 6000, meaning 6000 cubic centimetres count as one kilogram. International express couriers often use 5000, and FedEx and UPS use 139 in the US. Always confirm the figure on your carrier’s rate card first.
Does packaging count towards the size?
Yes. Measure the outer dimensions of the packed parcel, including the box and any protrusions, because that is what the carrier measures when it rates the shipment.
Do carriers round the weight?
Many do. Rate cards often round each piece up to the next half kilogram or whole pound, and some round each side to the nearest whole centimetre or inch first. Switch on carrier rounding to see the effect, then check your own rate card.