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Dimensional Weight Calculator

Calculate your dimensional weight shipping cost for Canada Post, UPS, Purolator, and FedEx. Enter your package information to learn its billed weight for each carrier.

What is Dimensional Weight?

Dimensional weight (DIM), often called volumetric or cubed weight, is a pricing method used by carriers and shipping companies to calculate charges. Instead of just looking at how much a package weighs, they also consider how much space it takes up and charge you for the heaviest one.

 

This means that if you’re shipping something light but bulky, you’ll be charged based on its size rather than just its weight.

Why Carriers Use Dimensional Weight?

Dimensional weight (DIM) is used by carrier so they can factor the space a package will take up when transporting it. Rather than just basing their shipping rate on weight alone, the volume of a parcel is taken into account. It has become increasingly important with the rise of e-commerce, as space is scarce and carriers can make more money by shipping the most packages together.

How to Calculate Dimensional Weight?

The formula to calculate dimensional weight is:

DIM weight = (Package Length × Package Width × Package Height) / Carrier's DIM factor
 
Let's break it down:
 
1. Measure the Package
 
Measure the length, width, and height of your package in inches. Make sure you measure from the longest points on each side.
 
2. Calculate the Cubic Size
 
Multiply the length, width, and height to get the cubic size of the package.
 
4. Determine Dimensional Weight
Divide the cubic size by the dimensional factor (dim divisor). The divisor varies by carrier. Use the list below or our calculator.
 
5. Compare with Actual Weight
 
Compare the dimensional weight to the actual weight of the package. The shipping cost will be based on the greater of the two weights.

Carriers' Dimensional Factors

UPS

Service volumetric weight (kg) volumetric weight (lb)
UPS Worldwide Express Freight Cubic size (cm³) / 5,000 Cubic size (in³) / 139
UPS Air Freight Direct and UPS Air Freight Consolidated Cubic size (cm³) / 6,000 Cubic size (in³) / 166
UPS Other Air Freight Services Cubic size (cm³) / 5,000 Cubic size (in³) / 139
UPS Domestic Air Packages Cubic size (cm³) / 4,100 Cubic size (in³) / 115
UPS All Other Packages Cubic size (cm³) / 5,000 Cubic size (in³) / 139

Canada Post

Service volumetric weight (kg) volumetric weight (lb)
Priority, Xpresspost, Expedited Parcel, and U.S. & International Services (excluding Tracked Packet and Small Packet) Cubic size (cm³) / 5,000 Cubic size (in³) / 139
Regular Parcel Service Cubic size (cm³) / 6,000 Cubic size (in³) / 166

Purolator

Service volumetric weight (kg) volumetric weight (lb)
Ground Cubic size (cm³) / 5036.1445 Cubic size (in³) / 139.4
Air Cubic size (cm³) / 4161.864 Cubic size (in³) / 115.2

FedEx

Service volumetric weight (kg) volumetric weight (lb)
International and U.S. & Puerto Rico Cubic size (cm³) / 5,000 Cubic size (in³) / 139
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