Dimensional & Billable Weight

When to use it

For a rectangular parcel when the selected carrier service bills the greater of actual and dimensional weight. Enter measured outside dimensions and the divisor and rounding increment from your own contract. This example uses centimetres and kilograms; 5000 cm³/kg and a 0.5 kg increment are illustrative rules, not a universal carrier tariff.

Related: Packaging Quotes & Budget.

Inputs

Calculation method

Multiply the three outside dimensions, divide that volume by the contract divisor, and compare with actual weight. The greater weight is (dimensional + actual + |dimensional − actual|)/2. Divide it by the billing increment, round up to a whole increment, and multiply back. At 40 × 30 × 25 cm, volume is 30,000 cm³ and dimensional weight is 6 kg. This exceeds the 3 kg actual weight; rounding in 0.5 kg increments leaves 6 kg.

40 [Outside parcel length cm] × 30 [Outside parcel width cm] × 25 [Outside parcel height cm] → Outside parcel volume cm³

Outside parcel volume cm³/5,000 [Contract volume-to-weight divisor cm³/kg] → Dimensional weight kg

(Dimensional weight kg + 3 [Actual parcel weight kg] + abs(Dimensional weight kg-Actual parcel weight kg))/2 → Greater of actual and dimensional weight kg

ceil(Greater of actual and dimensional weight kg/0.5 [Billing weight increment kg]) × Billing weight increment kg → Billable weight after rounding up kg

Change one input

Change only height from 25 to 15 cm. Volume falls to 18,000 cm³, dimensional weight to 3.6 kg and billable weight to 4 kg. Actual weight, divisor and rounding increment stay unchanged. The comparison estimates weight, not a monetary shipping saving.

Results are displayed to at most two decimal places; later formulas use unrounded values.

Scope and limits

• Use measured outside dimensions.
• Divisor and rounding follow the selected service.
• Billable weight is not the final shipping charge.

All dimensions, the divisor and billing increment must be positive; actual weight may be zero for a planning case but cannot be negative. Use compatible units throughout. This model rounds only after taking the greater weight. It does not implement separate dimension-rounding, minimum charges, special package rules, tax or surcharges; if your service applies those, adapt the method before using it.

Carrier calculation reference: DHL.

Download and import into Calvance to edit the numbers. The canvas does not reject every invalid input; check the stated ranges.

Common questions

Is the divisor always 5000?

No. It depends on service, contract and units. A cm³/kg divisor cannot be reused as an in³/lb number.

What if actual weight is greater?

Actual weight becomes the basis before rounding. Reducing box volume then may leave billable weight unchanged.

How to import your template

We recommend using the latest version of Calvance.

1. Save the file. Choose Download template and save the .calvx file to Files on your iPhone or iPad. From a computer, you can send it to your device with AirDrop.
2. Open Import. In All Canvases in Calvance, tap the add button to open the template screen, then choose Import.
3. Choose the file. Select the saved .calvx file to create your own canvas. Importing uses one canvas from your allowance.
4. Edit and check. Check the results against the worked example, then add your numbers. Duplicate the canvas to keep different versions.

Download .calvx file