Dimensional Weight Cost Calculator

Example 1:

• Length (inches) = 10
• Width (inches) = 10
• Height (inches) = 10
• Actual Weight (lb) = 25
• Divisor = 139
• Shipping Rate = 0.50
• Dimensional Weight Cost = $3.60
• Actual Weight Cost = $12.50
• Billable Weight Cost = $12.50

Example 2:

• Length (inches) = 20
• Width (inches) = 15
• Height (inches) = 10
• Actual Weight (lb) = 12
• Divisor = 139
• Shipping Rate = 0.50
• Dimensional Weight Cost = $10.79
• Actual Weight Cost = $6.00
• Billable Weight Cost = $10.79

How to Calculate Dimensional Weight Cost

Variables

Length (inches): The longest side of the package. Measured in inches.

Width (inches): The shorter side of the package. Measured in inches.

Height (inches): The vertical dimension of the package. Measured in inches.

Actual Weight (lb): The package’s real weight measured on a weighing scale.

Divisor: A constant number used by carriers to convert a package’s volume into dimensional weight. Yes, it differs from carrier to carrier. For example, 139 is the divisor used by UPS, FedEx, and DHL for air shipments (international and domestic). For ground shipments, some carriers may use 166 as a divisor.

Note: the higher the divisor, the lower will be the dimensional weight. The lower the divisor, the higher the dimensional weight will be.

Shipping Rate: The carrier’s charge per pound of billable weight.

Dimensional Weight Cost: The shipping cost based on the dimensional weight of the package.

Actual Weight Cost: The shipping cost based on the actual weight of the package.

Billable Weight Cost: If the dimensional weight is more than the actual weight, the shipping cost will be based on the dimensional weight. On the other hand, if the actual weight is more than the dimensional cost, the shipping cost will be based on the actual weight.

So, the billable weight cost is simply the greater of the dimensional weight cost or the actual weight cost.

Steps

Step 1: Calculate the volume of the package

Volume = length x width x height (inches)

Volume = 20 x 15 x 10 = 3000

Step 2: Calculate the dimensional weight

Dimensional weight = volume / divisor

Dimensional weight = 3000 / 139 = 21.58 lb

Step 3: Calculate the dimensional weight cost and the actual weight cost

Dimensional weight cost = Dimensional weight x shipping rate

Dimensional weight cost = 21.58 lb x $0.50 = $10.79

Actual weight cost = Actual weight x shipping rate

Actual weight cost = 12 x $0.50 = $6.00

Step 4: Calculate the billable weight cost

The higher of dimensional weight cost or actual weight cost is the billable weight cost.

So, in this example, $10.70 is the billable weight cost.