Dimensional Weight Calculator (kg)
Calculate chargeable weight for air freight, couriers, and logistics.
Calculate Your Package Weight
cm
Enter the longest side of the package in centimeters.
Please enter a valid positive length.
cm
Enter the width of the package in centimeters.
Please enter a valid positive width.
cm
Enter the height of the package in centimeters.
Please enter a valid positive height.
5000 (Standard Courier / Express)
6000 (Traditional Air Freight / Ground)
4000 (Specialized / Heavy)
7000 (Road Freight Europe)
Most couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) use 5000. Air cargo often uses 6000.
kg
Enter gross weight to compare against volumetric weight.
Dimensional (Volumetric) Weight
0.00 kg
Package Volume
0 m³
Billable Weight
0.00 kg
Calculation Basis
–
Formula Used: (Length × Width × Height) ÷ 5000
Actual Weight
Dim Weight
| Divisor Factor | Standard Used By | Resulting Weight (kg) |
|---|
What is Dimensional Weight?
Dimensional weight (often called volumetric weight or DIM weight) is a pricing technique used by commercial freight transport companies, including postal services and courier companies like DHL, FedEx, and UPS. It reflects the package's density—essentially, the amount of space a package occupies in relation to its actual weight.
Understanding how to calculate dimensional weight in kg is crucial for businesses shipping lightweight but bulky items. Carriers will compare the actual scale weight against the calculated dimensional weight and charge for whichever is greater. This ensures that a large box full of styrofoam (light but bulky) pays for the valuable cargo space it occupies in an aircraft or truck.
Key Takeaway: If your Dimensional Weight > Actual Weight, you pay for the Dimensional Weight. This is known as the "Billable Weight" or "Chargeable Weight".
Dimensional Weight Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The global standard formula for calculating dimensional weight involves measuring the length, width, and height of a package and dividing by a dimensional factor (divisor). When calculating in the metric system (centimeters and kilograms), the formula is as follows:
Dimensional Weight (kg) = (L × W × H) / Divisor
Here is a breakdown of the variables used in the calculation:
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| L | Length (longest side) | cm | 10 – 300+ cm |
| W | Width | cm | 10 – 200+ cm |
| H | Height | cm | 5 – 200+ cm |
| Divisor | Dimensional Factor | Constant | 5000 or 6000 |
The standard divisor is typically 5000 for express couriers (e.g., DHL Express, FedEx, UPS) and 6000 for less time-sensitive air freight or ground transport. Always confirm the divisor with your specific carrier.
Practical Examples: Calculating Dimensional Weight in Real Scenarios
Example 1: The "Air Pillow" Effect (Large, Light Box)
Imagine you are shipping a large box of pillows via an express courier that uses a divisor of 5000.
- Dimensions: 60 cm x 50 cm x 40 cm
- Actual Weight: 4 kg
Step 1: Calculate Volume: 60 × 50 × 40 = 120,000 cm³
Step 2: Divide by Factor: 120,000 / 5000 = 24 kg
Financial Outcome: Even though the box only weighs 4 kg, the carrier will bill you for 24 kg. This is a massive difference in shipping cost.
Example 2: Dense Hardware (Small, Heavy Box)
Now consider shipping a small box containing metal bolts.
- Dimensions: 20 cm x 20 cm x 15 cm
- Actual Weight: 5 kg
Step 1: Calculate Volume: 20 × 20 × 15 = 6,000 cm³
Step 2: Divide by Factor: 6,000 / 5000 = 1.2 kg
Financial Outcome: The dimensional weight (1.2 kg) is less than the actual weight (5 kg). You will be billed for the 5 kg actual weight.
How to Use This Dimensional Weight Calculator
Our tool is designed to simplify the logistics math. Follow these steps to get an accurate billable weight estimation:
- Measure Accurately: Measure the Length, Width, and Height of your packaged shipment in centimeters. Round up to the nearest whole centimeter as carriers often do.
- Input Dimensions: Enter these values into the respective fields in the calculator above.
- Select Divisor: Choose the correct divisor. If you are using a standard courier like DHL or FedEx, select "5000". If using traditional air freight, "6000" might be appropriate.
- Enter Actual Weight: Input the scale weight of the package in kg. This allows the calculator to tell you immediately which weight is "Billable".
- Analyze Results: Look at the "Billable Weight" result. This is the figure you should use when looking up pricing on a rate sheet.
Key Factors That Affect Dimensional Weight Results
Several variables can influence your final shipping costs beyond just the raw dimensions. Understanding these can help you optimize your logistics strategy.
- Carrier Divisor Policy: The most critical factor. A divisor of 4000 results in a much higher billable weight than a divisor of 6000. Negotiating a higher divisor (e.g., moving from 5000 to 6000) is a common contract negotiation tactic for high-volume shippers.
- Packaging Efficiency: Excessive void fill or oversized boxes directly increase your costs. Reducing box height by just 5cm can significantly lower the chargeable weight.
- Palletization: If you stack boxes on a pallet, the carrier measures the entire pallet dimensions, including the empty space between boxes and the wood pallet itself.
- Rounding Rules: Most carriers round up dimensions to the nearest cm and weights to the nearest 0.5 kg. This "breakage" adds up over thousands of shipments.
- Service Level: Faster services (Express/Air) often use stricter divisors (5000) compared to slower services (Road/Sea) which may use 6000 or bill purely on volume (CBM).
- Surcharges: Fuel surcharges are applied to the billable weight, not just the base rate. An inflated dimensional weight also inflates your fuel and security surcharges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why do carriers use 5000 vs 6000 as a divisor?
The divisor represents the carrier's expected density. A divisor of 6000 implies a density of 167 kg/m³, while 5000 implies 200 kg/m³. With modern ecommerce packages becoming lighter (more air pillows, less density), carriers moved to 5000 to protect their revenue per cubic meter of cargo space.
How do I calculate CBM from dimensions?
CBM stands for Cubic Meters. To calculate, multiply L(cm) × W(cm) × H(cm) and divide by 1,000,000. For example, 50×40×30 cm = 60,000 cm³ = 0.06 CBM.
Does dimensional weight apply to sea freight?
Generally, Less-than-Container Load (LCL) sea freight is charged per CBM or per Tonne (1000kg), whichever is greater. The ratio is usually 1 CBM = 1000 kg, which is much more forgiving than air freight.
Can I negotiate the dimensional factor?
Yes. Businesses with high shipping volumes can often negotiate the divisor in their carrier contracts, for example, asking for a 6000 divisor instead of 5000, effectively lowering shipping costs for bulky items by 16%.
What if my package is an irregular shape?
Carriers treat irregular shapes as rectangular boxes. They measure the extreme points of the longest, widest, and highest parts of the object to create a theoretical bounding box.
Is it cheaper to ship two small boxes or one big box?
Usually, one consolidated box is cheaper due to base handling fees, provided the consolidated box doesn't exceed maximum weight limits or trigger "Oversize" surcharges. However, you must calculate the combined dimensional weight to be sure.
Does tape thickness affect the calculation?
Technically, yes. Carriers use laser scanners that detect bulges. Overstuffed boxes that bulge in the middle will be measured at their widest point, potentially adding centimeters to the calculation.
What is "Dead Weight"?
"Dead weight" is industry slang for the actual scale weight of the shipment, as opposed to the "Volumetric" or "Dim" weight.
Related Tools and Internal Resources
Optimize your logistics and financial planning with our other specialized calculators:
- Freight Class Calculator Determine NMFC codes and classes for LTL shipping.
- CBM Calculator Calculate Cubic Meters for container loading and sea freight.
- Shipping Cost Estimator Estimate total landed cost including duties and taxes.
- Container Loading Calculator Optimize pallet arrangement for 20ft and 40ft containers.
- Air Freight Chargeable Weight Specialized tool for air cargo specific surcharges.
- Warehouse Storage Cost Calculator Calculate monthly storage fees based on volume and pallets.