Welcome to our Volumetric Weight Calculator. This tool helps you calculate your parcel’s volumetric (dimensional) weight. It determines the chargeable weight that couriers use worldwide. These include Royal Mail, Evri, FedEx, DHL, UPS, and other international shipping providers.
Use our calculator to estimate shipping costs accurately before sending your parcel.
Volumetric Weight Calculator
What Is Volumetric Weight? (Parcel Volumetric Weight / DIM Weight)
Volumetric weight, also called dimensional weight or DIM weight, is a way couriers measure the space a parcel occupies, not just its actual weight.
Even if your parcel is light, a large box takes up room. Shipping volumetric weight ensures couriers price large, lightweight parcels fairly.
Chargeable weight = the higher of actual weight or volumetric weight.
Our volumetric weight calculator automatically compares your parcel’s actual weight and parcel volumetric weight to show the chargeable weight used by couriers worldwide.
How Couriers Use Dimensional Weight
Most international couriers such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, and air freight services use a dimensional weight formula based on a divisor:
Volumetric Weight = Length × Width × Height ÷ Divisor
This helps them optimize space on trucks and aircraft and ensures fair pricing for bulky parcels.
However, Evri and Royal Mail in the UK primarily use parcel size tiers with defined weight limits rather than a simple divisor. Their pricing is based on the combination of parcel dimensions and weight thresholds, which may differ from air freight or DHL-style calculations.
How to Calculate Volumetric Weight (Courier Dimensional Weight Formula)
For couriers that use a divisor-based formula, the courier dimensional weight formula is:
Volumetric Weight (kg) = Length × Width × Height ÷ Divisor
- Length, Width, Height: in cm
- Divisor: depends on the courier
- 5000 – standard for many international and UK parcel services
- 4000 – some air freight services
- 6000 – some DHL / UPS economy or freight services
Example:
A parcel 50 × 30 × 20 cm using a 5000 divisor:
(50 × 30 × 20) ÷ 5000 = 6 kg
If the actual weight is 4 kg, the chargeable weight will be 6 kg because parcel volumetric weight is higher.
This is exactly how our dimensional weight calculator / DIM weight calculator calculates shipping volumetric weight for these couriers.
What Is Chargeable Weight?
Chargeable weight is the weight used by couriers to calculate shipping costs. It is the higher of actual weight or volumetric weight, depending on the courier’s pricing rules.
Understanding parcel volumetric weight helps you estimate costs before sending, whether for UK, US, or international shipments.
Tips to Reduce Shipping Costs (Length Width Height Shipping Calculator)
- Use the smallest box possible that fits your item safely
- Remove extra packaging that increases volume but not protection
- Compress bulky but lightweight items where possible
These adjustments can lower the DIM weight, reducing your shipping costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do all couriers use the same divisor for dimensional weight?
No. Most international and air freight couriers use divisors like 5000, 4000, or 6000. Evri and Royal Mail, however, use size tiers and weight limits instead of a simple volumetric divisor.
Why might shipping cost more than actual weight?
If your parcel is large but light, the parcel volumetric weight may exceed the actual weight. Couriers charge based on the higher of actual and dimensional weight.
Can I use this calculator for international parcels?
Yes. Our dimensional weight calculator works for UK, US, and international shipments. Some couriers may use different divisors or pricing rules depending on region or service type.
Use Our Volumetric Weight Calculator
Enter your parcel’s length, width, height, and actual weight, select the courier divisor (if applicable), and click Calculate.
- Default divisor: 5000 (used by many international and UK parcel services)
- Optional divisors: 4000 (air freight), 6000 (DHL / UPS freight)
The calculator will show:
- Volumetric weight
- Chargeable weight (higher of actual and dimensional weight)
- Courier divisor used and calculation formula
This ensures you understand how to calculate volumetric weight and the shipping volumetric weight used by couriers globally.
Try Our Similar Tools to help in shipping