Volumetric weight calculator

Are you paying to ship air?

Enter your box size and weight to see the volumetric weight, what each courier will charge you on, and whether your parcel triggers a size surcharge.

Your parcel

The formula

L × W × H (cm) ÷ 5,000 = volumetric kg

Couriers charge on whichever is higher: the actual weight or the volumetric weight. Most parcel couriers divide by 5,000. Some economy services use 4,000, which makes the volumetric weight higher. Air freight uses 6,000.

Your result
Volumetric weight
Chargeable weight
Actual weight
Box volume
Girth (L + 2W + 2H)
Total for all parcels
Estimate your fulfilment costs

Guide only. Couriers round up to their next weight break and can re-measure parcels. Ratios and limits from our couriers' published terms, checked September 2026.

By courier

What each service charges you on

The same box can be billed at very different weights depending on the service.

ServiceUsed forDivisorYou're charged on
FedEx International Priority & EconomyExpress and economy international÷ 5,000
FedEx Regional EconomyEconomy within Europe÷ 4,000
Parcelforce Worldwide (international)Volume-scanned before export÷ 5,000
DPD Air Classic & Air ExpressInternational air services÷ 5,000
Air freight (forwarder)Pallets and cartons by air÷ 6,000
Royal Mail & DPD UK (road)UK domestic parcelsBy weight band Actual
Size surcharges

Will your parcel trigger a surcharge?

Checked against the size and weight limits our couriers publish. Red means this parcel would be charged.

DPD UK size limitOver 30 kg or longer than 1 m · £24.00 oversize charge
FedEx additional handling (size)Longest side over 121 cm, second side over 76 cm, or length + girth over 266 cm · £31 international / £12.95 UK, billed at min 18 kg
FedEx additional handling (weight)Over 25 kg actual weight · £30 international / £12.95 UK
FedEx oversizeLonger than 243 cm or length + girth over 330 cm · £49.25 per package
DPD EU non-standard parcelOver 130 cm long or over 20 kg · From €1.89 per parcel
DPD EU excess size or weightOver 175 cm long, over 31.5 kg, or girth over 300 cm · €46.50 per parcel
How to pay less

Five ways to cut volumetric charges

Right-size your boxes

Use the smallest box that protects the product. A few centimetres off each side can drop a whole weight band.

Measure accurately

Give us exact product dimensions. Couriers re-measure parcels and re-bill if the declared size was wrong.

Use mailers for soft goods

Clothing and soft items often ship cheaper in a mailer bag than a box. Just check it won't trigger a non-conveyable charge.

Keep sides under the limits

For FedEx, keep the second-longest side under 76 cm. For DPD UK, keep parcels under 1 m and 30 kg.

Match service to parcel

Light, bulky parcels can be cheaper on a domestic road service than an air service that uses volumetric pricing.

Every courier charge explained →  ·  3PL cost calculator →  ·  Duty and VAT calculator →

FAQs

Volumetric weight, answered

What is volumetric weight?
Volumetric (or dimensional) weight is a parcel's size converted into a weight. Couriers use it so that large, light parcels are priced fairly for the space they take up in a van or plane.
How do I calculate volumetric weight?
Multiply length × width × height in centimetres, then divide by the courier's divisor, usually 5,000. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm box is 96,000 ÷ 5,000 = 19.2 kg.
What is chargeable weight?
Whichever is higher: the actual weight or the volumetric weight. That's the weight your courier bills you on.
Does Royal Mail use volumetric weight?
For UK parcels, Royal Mail prices by weight and format size bands rather than volumetric weight. If a parcel is bigger than the format you paid for, a correction charge applies.
What is girth?
Length + (2 × width) + (2 × height), with length as the longest side. Many courier size limits use girth rather than the longest side alone.

Let us right-size it for you

Send us your product dimensions and we'll recommend packaging that keeps your courier costs down, before your first order ships.

Talk to usCall 020 3876 5480