Volumetric Weight Calculator
Calculate your package's dimensional weight instantly. Know the exact chargeable weight before you ship.
Calculate Volumetric Weight
Package Dimensions
Optional — to compare with volumetric
Divisor
What is Volumetric Weight?
Understanding how couriers calculate shipping charges for bulky packages.
Volumetric weight — also called dimensional weight or DIM weight — reflects how much space a package occupies in a courier's vehicle relative to its actual weight. Courier companies charge based on whichever is higher: the actual weight or the volumetric weight. This ensures fair pricing for lightweight but bulky items like cushions, helmets, or electronics in oversized boxes.
For ecommerce sellers shipping hundreds of orders, understanding volumetric weight is crucial. A small reduction in packaging dimensions can significantly lower your per-shipment costs across all courier partners.
Formula
Divisor: 5000 for air/express · 4000 for surface/ground
Real-world example: Shipping a pillow
A pillow packaged in a 60 × 40 × 30 cm box weighs 3 kg on a scale. But its volumetric weight is: 60 × 40 × 30 ÷ 5000 = 14.4 kg. Since 14.4 kg > 3 kg, the courier charges you for 14.4 kg — nearly 5× the actual weight. Using a vacuum-compressed bag (40 × 30 × 15 cm) reduces volumetric weight to just 3.6 kg, saving you up to 75% on shipping.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about volumetric weight and dimensional shipping.
What is volumetric weight?
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight or DIM weight) is a pricing technique used by couriers that accounts for the space a package occupies rather than just its actual weight. It's calculated using the formula: Length × Width × Height ÷ Divisor. The standard divisor for air freight is 5000 and for surface freight is 4000.
Why do couriers use volumetric weight?
Couriers have limited space in their vehicles and aircraft. A large, lightweight package takes up the same space as a heavy, compact one. Volumetric weight ensures that pricing fairly reflects the space a shipment occupies, not just how heavy it is.
What is the chargeable weight?
The chargeable weight is whichever is higher — the actual weight or the volumetric weight of your package. Couriers always bill based on the chargeable weight to ensure fair pricing for both bulky and heavy shipments.
What divisor should I use — 5000 or 4000?
Use 5000 for air/express shipments and 4000 for surface/ground shipments. The lower divisor (4000) for surface shipping results in a higher volumetric weight, reflecting the tighter space constraints of road transport.
How can I reduce my volumetric weight?
Use packaging that fits your product closely — avoid oversized boxes with excessive filler. Choose custom box sizes when possible. Compress soft items where safe. Even small reductions in box dimensions can significantly lower volumetric weight and shipping costs.
Does ShipPrime automatically calculate volumetric weight?
Yes. When you enter package dimensions during shipment booking on ShipPrime, the platform automatically calculates volumetric weight and uses the correct chargeable weight for rate calculation across all courier partners.
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