Volumetric weight calculator

It is the weight a courier assigns to the space your parcel takes up. A big, light box can take as much room on a truck or plane as a small, heavy one, so couriers compare the two weights and charge for the larger.

Length × width × height, in centimetres, divided by the divisor. With a divisor of 5000, a 30 × 20 × 10 cm box is 6,000 ÷ 5,000 = 1.2 kg.

The larger of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Many couriers also round it up in steps such as half a kilo, so check your rate sheet and pick the same step here.

Each courier sets its own, and it can change. 5000 is a common divisor, so it is filled in, but it is not every courier’s number. Ask your courier or look at your rate sheet, type it in, and the page remembers it.

Couriers set their own divisor and can change it. 5000 is a common figure. Ask yours, enter it, and the page remembers it.

Choose inches. Each side is turned into centimetres (1 inch is 2.54 cm) and then divided by your divisor in cm³ per kg, so the answer is the same as if you had measured in centimetres.

Use the smallest box or a poly mailer that fits the item, and cut empty space. If the volumetric weight is the bigger number, a tighter pack saves money. If the actual weight is bigger, a smaller box will not change the charge.