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Parcel dimensional and billed weight

Compare a parcel's actual and dimensional weights before billing-weight rounding. Use the packed outer dimensions and confirmed carrier rules.

Start with your own numbers

Editable example

An example is filled in. Replace it with your own data to calculate.

Use external packed dimensions. Confirm the divisor and rounding increment with the carrier.

Packed length (cm)Enter packed length (cm), for example 50. Use the displayed unit; replace the example with your own value.

Packed width (cm)Enter packed width (cm), for example 40. Use the displayed unit; replace the example with your own value.

Packed height (cm)Enter packed height (cm), for example 30. Use the displayed unit; replace the example with your own value.

Actual gross weight (kg)Enter actual gross weight (kg), for example 2. Use the displayed unit; replace the example with your own value.

Carrier's dimensional-weight divisorIf the service specifies length × width × height ÷ 5000, enter 5000. Confirm for that service; this is not the shipping charge.

Billing weight increment (kg)For 0.5 kg increments enter 0.5. For example, 1.2 kg rounds up to 1.5 kg.

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Example result

Estimated chargeable weight

12kg

This is estimated billing weight, not shipping cost. The carrier may have minimum weights, dimensions or other service rules.

Dimensional weight12 kg

Actual weight2 kg

Dimensional weight = length × width × height ÷ divisor. Select the greater of actual and dimensional weight, then round up to the billing increment. The example divisor 5000 is not a universal carrier rule; enter confirmed service terms. Dimension rounding, combined parcels, minimum charges, remote-area and oversize fees are excluded. This does not estimate shipping cost.

Method and scope

Dimensional weight equals length times width times height divided by the carrier divisor. Take the larger of actual and dimensional weights, then round upward to the billing increment.

A 0.5 kg increment means 1.2 kg rounds to 1.5 kg. The divisor is not the shipping price and the example 5,000 is not universal.

This does not estimate freight charges or apply dimension rounding, multi-piece consolidation, minimum charges, remote-area fees or oversize surcharges. Check the specific service contract.

References:OpenStax: algebra and applications

What this helps you do

Compare a parcel's actual and dimensional weights before billing-weight rounding. Use the packed outer dimensions and confirmed carrier rules.

What to enter

Start with packed length (cm), then fill the other relevant fields in the units shown. The field hints explain the required format and examples.

How the calculation works

Dimensional weight equals length times width times height divided by the carrier divisor. Take the larger of actual and dimensional weights, then round upward to the billing increment.

Worked example

A 40 by 30 by 20 cm parcel with divisor 5,000 has 4.8 kg dimensional weight. If actual weight is 3 kg and the increment is 0.5 kg, billed weight is 5 kg.

Understanding the answer

A 0.5 kg increment means 1.2 kg rounds to 1.5 kg. The divisor is not the shipping price and the example 5,000 is not universal.

Scope and limitations