Dimensional, volumetric & chargeable weight calculator

The consignment

Parcel dimensions

Actual weight per piece

Straight off the scales, packed.

Unit

Pieces

Carrier

Length × width × height in centimetres, divided by 5000. Pieces up to 30 kg round up to the next half kilo; above 30 kg they round to the next whole kilo. DHL billing increments are planning assumptions: confirm your local contract.

Try reducing each side by

Keeps the packed weight unchanged. Check that your product and protective packaging still fit.

Chargeable weightBilled on volume

5 kg

DHL Express · 11.02 lb

Actual weight

2 kg

Volumetric weight

4.8 kg

Billing uplift

60%

Volume

0.024 m³

The volume rule adds 2.8 kg above scale weight. Reducing the box by a few centimetres on each side often drops a whole weight band.

Step-by-step breakdown of the calculation
Step	Working	Result
Volume per piece	40 × 30 × 20	24,000 cm³
Volumetric weight per pieceThe divisor 5000 is the carrier's published centimetres-to-kilograms factor.Source: DHL	24000 ÷ 5000	4.8 kg
Actual weight		2 kg
Greater of the twoThis parcel is bulky for its weight, so the carrier bills the volume figure.	max(2, 4.8)	4.8 kg
Each piece rounded up, then multiplied by quantityThis carrier bills in 0.5 kg steps at this weight.Source: DHL	ceil(4.8 / 0.5) × 0.5 × 1	5 kg
Chargeable weight		5 kg

Compare this packing decision

Presets: DHL metric volume with assumed billing increments, UPS US daily rates, and USPS parcel rules. Weights are totals for identical pieces, each rounded before multiplying. Lower weight does not necessarily mean a lower shipping price.

Carrier	Current kg	Smaller kg
DHL	5	5
UPS	5.44	5.44
USPS	2.27	2.27

Carrier divisor reference

Compare the stored assumptions below with your service contract. A divisor alone does not determine the price.

Carrier	Context	in / lb	cm / kg	Notes
DHL Express	Metric volume calculation	—	5000	Calculate centimetres to kilograms. The calculator uses half-kilo steps up to 30 kg and whole-kilo steps above as a planning assumption; check your local billing agreement.DHL
UPS US	Daily rates	139	—	Inches to pounds. The preset rounds dimensions up and final weight to whole pounds. Contract terms can override published defaults.UPS
UPS US	Retail rates (reference only)	166	—	A lower dimensional weight is not proof of a lower price: the retail and daily rate tables differ. The daily-rate calculator preset does not use 166.UPS
USPSchanged 2026-07-12	Rectangular parcels over one cubic foot	139	—	Round each dimension up in inches before checking the threshold. Postal sub-pound rate bands are handled separately by the postage worksheet.USPS Postal Explorer

A larger divisor lowers the raw volume-derived weight. Rates, rounding, service eligibility and surcharges still determine the payable amount. Presets above are deliberately limited to the stated scope.

Billable weight on ShipMargin Rates checked 21 Sept 2026 How this is calculated