Guide to Volumetric Weight: How It’s Calculated and What It Means for Shipping

In this guide, we’ll help you to understand what volumetric weight is, how carriers calculate it, why it affects your shipping costs and the practical steps you can take to reduce it – and avoid unnecessary charges.

Jump to:

• What is Volumetric Weight?
• How to Calculate Volumetric Weight
• Why Volumetric Weight Matters
• Tips for Reducing Volumetric Weight
• Fulfilment in the UK and EU

What is Volumetric Weight?

Volumetric weight – also known as dimensional or chargeable weight – is a pricing technique used by commercial carriers based on the space a parcel takes up rather than just its scale weight. It prevents large, light parcels from eating up valuable cargo room without covering their share of transport costs.

This matters because every shipment has two measures: its gross weight (the physical scale weight) and its volumetric weight (the space it occupies). Carriers compare both and use the greater figure as the chargeable weight for calculating shipping fees.

For instance, a box of feather pillows might weigh just a few kilos but will take up the same space as a crate of heavy gym weights. Without volumetric pricing, the cost of transporting the bulky but lightweight pillows would cost far less, despite using just as much space, making it unfair for heavier items that are more space efficient.

How to Calculate Volumetric Weight

Calculating volumetric weight is straightforward, providing you know the formula and have accurate measurements. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Measure the length, width and height of your package. Use the longest points and include any bulges or overhanging parts.
2. Multiply these three numbers to get the cubic volume.
3. Divide the cubic volume by the carrier’s dimensional weight divisor, also known as the dimensional factor (‘dim factor’) to get the volumetric weight.
4. Round up to the nearest whole number, as carriers do not use fractions.

The formula looks like this:
Volumetric Weight = (Length x Width x Height) ÷ Dim Factor

For example, a package measuring 24 inches × 18 inches × 20 inches has a cubic volume of 8,640 cubic inches. If your carrier uses a dim factor of 139 for air freight, the volumetric weight is:
8,640 ÷ 139 ≈ 62.2 → round up to 63 pounds.
If the actual weight is only 45 pounds, you’ll pay for 63 pounds (the higher figure).

Check the Dim Factor:
Dim factors can vary between carriers and transport methods. For instance, many air freight companies use 5000 cm³/kg for metric calculations or 139 in³/lb for imperial. Road freight providers may apply a higher factor which results in a lower volumetric weight, so always check your carrier’s policy when booking shipments to avoid unexpected charges.

Why Volumetric Weight Matters

Understanding volumetric weight is crucial for keeping shipping costs predictable and fair. Here’s why it matters:

• Predictable cost calculation: If you misjudge volumetric weight, you risk unexpected surcharges and higher shipping fees. Knowing how it works helps you budget more accurately.
• Space optimisation: With limited freight space, carriers use volumetric weight to allocate space efficiently and prioritise high-density shipments.
• Fair and sustainable pricing: The system prevents shippers from sending large but light packages cheaply, which would otherwise reduce the profitability of each trip for the carrier.
• Protecting your profit: Brands that are not informed about volumetric weight might quote low shipping fees to customers and end up covering the difference themselves, incurring a loss.
• Optimising packaging: Having an awareness of volumetric pricing encourages brands to design packaging that protects products without wasted space.
• Courier practices in Europe: European authorities rely heavily on volumetric weight calculations, especially for cross-border air and road freight.
• Customs and duties: Declared weight affects import declarations and, in some cases, VAT and duties. Overstated weights can lead to higher costs, so accuracy is important.
• Shipping efficiency and sustainability: Using the right-sized packaging not only saves money but reduces wasted space, lowering carbon emissions by maximising each vehicle or plane load.

Tips for Reducing Volumetric Weight

Smart packaging choices help keep shipping costs down and savings consistent across high volumes. To minimise volumetric weight, consider:

• Use custom-fit packaging that matches your product dimensions closely
• Switch to lightweight but robust packing materials
• Flat-pack products where possible
• Compress soft goods such as bedding or apparel to reduce their bulk
• Consolidate multiple small orders into one shipment to save space
• Choose the right box size. Oversized boxes mean paying to ship air
• Keep internal protective packaging neat and avoid unnecessary filler
• Train fulfilment teams to pack tightly and avoid excessive padding

Fulfilment in the UK and EU

Volumetric weight is just one part of managing shipping costs, but it’s an important one. Brands looking to scale often find that outsourcing fulfilment to a local partner is the easiest way to keep delivery costs low and transit times fast.

ILG is a trusted third-party logistics provider (3PL) with fulfilment centres in the UK and EU and can store your products close to your customers, pick and pack orders with minimal wasted space and handle returns locally. Not only does this keep customers happy, but it also keeps costs down.

We help brands succeed with fulfilment solutions that make volumetric weight work in your favour. Our expert teams, cutting-edge warehouses and smart packing processes ensure your products are shipped securely and cost-effectively – every time.

Find out more about our fulfilment services or get in touch today.