Volumetric Weight Calculator

Length, cm

Width, cm

Height, cm

Actual weight, kg

Carrier divisor

Result

Chargeable weight, kg4.8
Volumetric weight, kg4.8
Actual weight, kg3
What is billedthe volumetric weight is charged
Volume, litres24
Density, kg/m³125

A carrier sells space, not kilograms

Calculates the volumetric weight of a parcel and shows whether the carrier will bill by volume or by actual weight.

A vehicle fills up before it reaches its weight limit. A load of pillows takes the whole van at almost no weight, which is why carriers invented a weight based on the space a parcel occupies.

The rule is simple: multiply the three dimensions in centimetres and divide by the carrier's divisor. Whichever is larger — that figure or the actual weight — is what appears on the invoice.

What this calculator shows

The chargeable weight and which of the two it came from
The volumetric and the actual weight side by side
The volume of the parcel and its density

What to keep in mind

Dimensions are the outside of the packaging, rounded up as most carriers do.
The divisor varies by carrier and service: 5000 is the common air figure, 6000 is more generous and 4000 appears in courier tariffs.

FAQs

What does the 5000 divisor mean?

It sets the density at which volume stops mattering: 5000 corresponds to 200 kg per cubic metre. Anything lighter than that is charged by volume.

Why is my light parcel expensive?

Because it is bulky. The carrier is selling the space it takes in the vehicle, and a big light box uses as much of that as a small heavy one.

Can smaller packaging reduce the cost?

Very often. Cutting each dimension by ten percent removes over a quarter of the volumetric weight, because volume scales as the cube.

Are dimensions rounded?

Usually up to the whole centimetre, and often to the half kilogram at the end. Small differences at the edge of a bracket are worth checking.

Worked example

A light box

Input: 40 × 30 × 20 cm weighing 3 kg, divisor 5000

Output: 4.8 kg chargeable

Note: The parcel weighs three kilograms and is billed as 4.8, because at 125 kg per cubic metre it is taking up more space than its weight pays for.

Useful links

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Volumetric Weight Calculator

Result

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