Dimensional Shipping Weight Calculator

How the dimensional shipping weight calculator works

This metric-only model uses packed external length, width and height in centimetres and actual packed weight in kilograms. Dimensional weight per carton = length × width × height ÷ the entered divisor in cm³/kg. The divisor must be positive. The example value 5,000 is not automatically the correct term for every carrier, product or contract.

Unrounded chargeable weight is the greater of actual and dimensional weight. Billable kilograms per carton = ceil(chargeable weight ÷ rounding increment) × rounding increment. The positive increment is in kilograms. No additional rounding of the three dimensions is performed, so enter dimensions already adjusted as required by the quoted carrier rules.

Shipment billable weight is the rounded per-carton weight multiplied by the whole carton count. Total actual weight is packed weight per carton × carton count. Rounding occurs before summing: rounding the combined shipment instead may produce a different answer. Zero cartons gives zero shipment totals while the one-carton scenario remains visible.

All cartons must be identical for this run. Compare separate runs for different sizes or masses. The model does not retrieve carrier rates, calculate shipping charges or determine freight class, oversize treatment, minimum charges or surcharges. Confirm which divisor, dimension rounding, weight rounding and piece-level rules apply to the actual shipment before using the result.

Worked example

A 50 × 40 × 30 cm carton has 60,000 cm³ volume. Dividing by the illustrative 5,000 cm³/kg divisor gives 12 kg dimensional weight. That exceeds the entered 8 kg actual weight. At a 1 kg rounding increment, each carton bills 12 kg. Three identical cartons total 36 kg billable weight and 24 kg actual weight. No shipping price is inferred.

Sources and assumptions

The source material explains the underlying calculation or pricing structure. Entered prices, costs, schedules and scenario choices are your assumptions; this tool does not obtain supplier quotes or predict actual results.

• DHL: Weight and dimensions