Free tool
Volumetric weight calculator
Enter parcel dimensions and actual weight. Instantly find out how many kg each carrier will charge — PPL, DPD, DHL, GLS, Packeta and more.
The basics
Why don't carriers just charge actual weight?
Carriers have limited space in vans and aircraft. A large but light parcel takes up space that could hold other shipments — and that has a real cost. So they always charge the higher of two values: actual weight or volumetric weight (volume ÷ 5,000).
Formula
L × W × H ÷ 5,000 = vol. weight (kg)
IATA standard used by all major carriers.
The rule
You pay max(actual weight, volumetric weight). The carrier picks the higher of the two.
Tip
Tighter packaging = lower volumetric weight = lower price. You pay for air inside the box.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is volumetric weight? expand_more
Volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) expresses how much space a parcel takes up in a delivery van or aircraft, not how much it actually weighs. Carriers always charge the higher of two values: actual weight or volumetric weight. For large but light parcels (foam products, soft toys, clothing) volumetric weight is often significantly higher than actual weight — which is why many senders are surprised by a higher charge than expected.
How is volumetric weight calculated? expand_more
Formula: Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ÷ 5,000 = volumetric weight (kg). The divisor 5,000 is the standard used by most couriers including PPL, DPD, DHL Express, UPS, FedEx, GLS, Packeta, Czech Post and Slovak Post. Example: parcel 60 × 40 × 30 cm: 60 × 40 × 30 = 72,000 cm³ ÷ 5,000 = 14.4 kg volumetric weight. If the actual weight is only 5 kg, the carrier charges 14.5 kg (volumetric weight rounded up to 0.5 kg).
Why is the divisor 5,000 used? expand_more
The divisor 5,000 originates from the IATA (International Air Transport Association) standard for air freight and was gradually adopted by couriers for road transport. In practice this means one cubic metre (1,000,000 cm³) equals 200 kg of volumetric weight. Some older tariffs used the divisor 6,000, but today 5,000 is the universal standard for parcel services in the EU.
When do I pay volumetric weight instead of actual weight? expand_more
You pay volumetric weight when it is higher than the actual weight. Typical examples: soft toys, pillows, clothing, empty boxes, foam packaging, bicycle frames. Conversely, for dense and heavy materials (metals, machinery, wine) actual weight is usually higher — and that is what you pay.
How can I reduce the volumetric weight of my shipment? expand_more
Key tips: (1) Use tighter packaging — a box with lots of empty space unnecessarily increases volumetric weight. (2) Pack multiple items into one box — consolidation improves the ratio. (3) Consider flexible packaging (bags, bubble mailers) for clothing and soft items. (4) Compare prices from multiple carriers via a broker — the same parcel can have different final prices under different tariffs.