Volumetric Weight Calculator

How volumetric weight is calculated

Volumetric (also called dimensional or DIM) weight converts the space a parcel takes up into a weight, so light but bulky parcels are priced fairly.

Volumetric weight (kg) = Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ divisor

The divisor depends on the carrier and service. The calculator includes the common ones: 5000 (typical international express), 6000 (air freight and many international lines), 4000 and 8000 (some lines), 1000 for sea LCL where 1 CBM is treated as 1,000 kg, and 139 / 166 for in³-per-lb systems used in the US.

Example: a 40 × 30 × 20 cm carton weighing 3.2 kg → 24,000 cm³ ÷ 5000 = 4.8 kg. The chargeable weight is 4.8 kg because it is higher than the actual 3.2 kg.

Three ways carriers measure a parcel

Standard carton: use the outside length, width and height of the box.

Bulging parcel: if the contents make the box bulge, measure the bulged size, not the printed carton size.

Irregular parcel: use the longest length, longest width and longest height, as if the parcel sat in a rectangular box.

Ways to lower your chargeable weight

• Right-size the carton: removing 2 cm on each side can drop a size band.
• Compress soft goods (apparel, bedding) with vacuum bags where the product allows.
• Ship dense goods separately from bulky goods instead of mixing them in one carton.
• Ask your carrier or forwarder which divisor and rounding rule applies to your contract. Rates and rules change.