A winter jacket
40 × 30 × 15 cm box · weighs 0.8 kgBox weight4.67 kg
Real weight0.8 kg
You pay for5 kg
Light, but bulky: you pay for 5 kg, 6× what it weighs.
Volumetric weight calculator and the weight you’ll pay for.
Enter the box size in cm or inches, and what it weighs packed. See its volumetric weight, the weight you’re charged for, and a cheaper box size.
- The weight you pay forBox or real weight, whichever is more
- Your box, drawn to sizeSo you can see what you’re sending
- How to pay for lessThe box size that would cost less
Your box’s weight shows hereEnter all three sides and press Calculate.
What volumetric weight is
Why a jacket can cost more to ship than a book
Volumetric weight, or dimensional weight, is what a box counts as because of its size. Couriers fill trucks and planes by space, so they charge for the higher of the two.
A hardback book
25 × 18 × 5 cm box · weighs 1.2 kgBox weight0.58 kg
Real weight1.2 kg
You pay for1.5 kg
Heavier, but small: you pay for 1.5 kg.
Chart
Volumetric weight chart for common box sizes
Find your box in cm or inches. Each size is divided by 3,857, and the last column is the weight band you’d be charged for.
| Box (cm) | Box (inches) | Volume | Box weight | You pay for, if the product is lighter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 × 10 | 3.9 × 3.9 × 3.9 | 1,000 cm³ | 0.26 kg | 0.5 kg |
| 15 × 10 × 8 | 5.9 × 3.9 × 3.1 | 1,200 cm³ | 0.31 kg | 0.5 kg |
| 20 × 15 × 10 | 7.9 × 5.9 × 3.9 | 3,000 cm³ | 0.78 kg | 1 kg |
| 25 × 20 × 10 | 9.8 × 7.9 × 3.9 | 5,000 cm³ | 1.3 kg | 1.5 kg |
| 30 × 20 × 10 | 11.8 × 7.9 × 3.9 | 6,000 cm³ | 1.56 kg | 2 kg |
| 30 × 25 × 12 | 11.8 × 9.8 × 4.7 | 9,000 cm³ | 2.33 kg | 2.5 kg |
| 35 × 30 × 15 | 13.8 × 11.8 × 5.9 | 15,750 cm³ | 4.08 kg | 4.5 kg |
| 40 × 30 × 20 | 15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 | 24,000 cm³ | 6.22 kg | 7 kg |
| 30 × 30 × 30 | 11.8 × 11.8 × 11.8 | 27,000 cm³ | 7 kg | 8 kg |
| 40 × 30 × 30 | 15.7 × 11.8 × 11.8 | 36,000 cm³ | 9.33 kg | 10 kg |
| 45 × 35 × 25 | 17.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 | 39,375 cm³ | 10.21 kg | 11 kg |
| 50 × 40 × 30 | 19.7 × 15.7 × 11.8 | 60,000 cm³ | 15.56 kg | 16 kg |
| 60 × 40 × 40 | 23.6 × 15.7 × 15.7 | 96,000 cm³ | 24.89 kg | 25 kg |
The formula
Volumetric weight formula, step by step
The formula is L × W × H in cm ÷ 3,857. Here it’s worked out for a 30 × 25 × 12 cm box weighing 0.8 kg. Calculate above to see your own box.
Measure the packed box
Measure each side at its widest point, in cm.30 × 25 × 12 cmMultiply the three sides
That’s the space it takes.= 9,000 cm³Divide by 3,857
That’s the volumetric weight.÷ 3,857 = 2.33 kgTake the higher one
That’s the chargeable weight. You pay the rate for the weight band it falls in: up to 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg, then each kg above.2.33 kg vs 0.8 kg → 2.5 kg
Packing
Six packing changes that lower your volumetric weight
Use the smallest box it fits
Don’t reach for the big box because it’s handy.
30×25×12 → 25×20×10 saves 1 kgClothes go in mailer bags
Soft items don’t need a box. A filled bag is measured at its thickest point.
30×25×10 → 30×25×3 saves 1 kgCut tall boxes down
Score the sides, fold at the height of what’s inside, and tape.
40×30×30 → 40×30×18 saves 4 kgShip in the product’s own box
If it’s sturdy and sealed, skip the outer box. Cover old labels.
30×25×12 → 22×16×8 saves 1.5 kgCombine orders to one buyer
Two small boxes to the same address cost more than one.
2 × 20×15×10 → 20×15×20 saves 0 kgMeasure after packing
Bulging flaps add a cm each way, and that can be a whole step.
30×25×12 bulging to 31×26×13 costs 0.5 kg more
Weight disputes
If the hub’s scale says something different
The hub measures every parcel
If it comes out heavier or bigger, the price for the heavier weight applies.
No extra charge without proof
You see the hub’s photo and scan before anything is taken from your wallet.
Disagree? Send your photos
Raise it from the dashboard. We decide within [X] days.
Hub photo32 × 26 × 13Hub scan, cm
Your photoYou declared30 × 25 × 12 cm · 2 kg
Hub measured32 × 26 × 13 cm · 2.5 kg
Your photos show 30 × 25 × 12: dispute accepted, no extra charge.
Volumetric weight questions
What is volumetric weight in shipping?
It’s the weight a parcel counts as because of its size. It’s worked out from length, width and height. So a big, light box can count as more than it weighs.
How do I calculate volumetric weight?
Length × width × height in cm, divided by 3,857. A 30 × 25 × 12 cm box is 9,000 ÷ 3,857 = 2.33 kg.
How do I calculate volumetric weight in inches?
Multiply the three sides in inches, then divide by 235. That matches 3,857 in cm (1 inch = 2.54 cm). A 12 × 10 × 5 inch box is 600 ÷ 235 = about 2.55 kg. Or switch the calculator to inches.
What is chargeable weight?
The weight you’re billed for. It’s the higher of the real weight and the volumetric weight. Your price is the rate for the weight band it falls in.
Is dimensional weight the same as volumetric weight?
Yes. Volumetric weight, dimensional weight and DIM weight all mean the weight a box counts as because of its size.
Do all shippers divide by 5,000?
No. Many use 5,000, and some use another number, such as 4,000 or 6,000. On Logibuddy it’s 3,857 for every parcel.
Does a mailer bag have a volumetric weight?
Yes. It’s measured filled, at its thickest point.
What if the hub measures it differently?
If the hub finds it heavier or bigger, the price for the heavier weight applies. You see the hub’s photo and scan first. Disagree? Raise a dispute with your photos from your dashboard.
How can I lower my volumetric weight?
Use the smallest box that fits, and send soft items in mailer bags. Measure after packing. The six tips above show what each change saves.
Know the weight. Now see the price.
Every courier’s price for this parcel, with GST and the COD fee added.