If your parcel is large but lightweight, the shipping cost may be determined by its size rather than its weight. Our volumetric weight calculator can help you find the chargeable weight for your parcel. When sending bulky parcels, many couriers charge based on volumetric weight instead of actual weight. This weight is calculated from the dimensions of the parcel.
Volumetric weight represents the calculated weight of a parcel based on its length, width, and height, converted to volumetric kilograms. The calculation method for volumetric weight can vary depending on the courier and the specific service. For example, some couriers may use different formulas for express versus economy services.
Larger items occupy more space on vehicles or aircraft, increasing the cost to transport them. Therefore, if an item is bulky but not heavy, shipping costs are often based on size instead of actual weight.
Calculate Volumetric Weight for Courier Delivery
Different courier companies may use various formulas, but the most common method involves multiplying the parcel's three dimensions in centimeters and dividing by 5,000.
No need to worry—the tool above automatically calculates this for you. However, if you’d like to do it manually, simply multiply the length, width, and height (in cm) of your parcel and then divide by 5,000.
Compare to Physical Weight
If the volumetric weight is higher than the actual physical weight, your shipment will be billed based on the volumetric weight.
Calculate Volumetric Weight for Freight Delivery
For most road freight, air freight services, and airlines, a divisor of 6,000 is used. To find the volumetric weight for freight, multiply the length, width, and height of the shipment in centimeters, then divide by 6,000.
Calculate Total Chargeable Weight of a Shipment
Different couriers have their own methods for calculating the total chargeable weight, which can impact the cost significantly. It’s important to understand how these variations might affect the final price of your shipment.
Accurate volumetric weight calculation is essential when shipping bulky packages with low actual weight because shipping costs are often based on the space a package occupies rather than its physical weight.
This is
particularly important for large,
lightweight items that take up significant space in a cargo hold or container.
By
calculating the volumetric weight,
which reflects the package's dimensions, shipping carriers can ensure that pricing
accurately reflects the space utilized. Without this,
carriers may incur losses from undercharged shipments, and shippers might face unexpected
costs due to inaccurate weight estimates.
Therefore, correctly calculating volumetric weight helps in fair cost allocation and efficient use of space, benefiting both carriers and customers.
Understand the Result