Volume weight explanation
What is volume weight?
Volume weight (also called chargeable weight) is a calculated weight based on the size of the package, not only its actual weight.
Carriers use volume weight to price large, lightweight packages that take up a lot of space during transport.
When shipping costs are calculated, the system compares:
- actual weight
- volume weight
The higher value is used as the basis for the shipping price.
How is volume weight calculated?
Volume weight is calculated based on the package dimensions:
Length × width × height
The formula may vary between carriers, but two common examples are:
1. Standard parcels
- (Length × width × height) / 1000 / 5
All dimensions are usually given in centimeters.
Example
- Actual weight: 5 kg
- Dimensions: 30 cm × 40 cm × 25 cm
Calculation:
30 × 40 × 25 = 30000
30000 / 1000 = 30
30 / 5 = 6 kg
Volume weight = 6 kg
Since the volume weight is higher than the actual weight (5 kg), the shipping cost will be calculated based on 6 kg.
2. Freight / cargo shipments
- (Length × width × height) / 1000 / 3.5
All dimensions are usually given in centimeters.
Example
- Actual weight: 5 kg
- Dimensions: 30 cm × 40 cm × 25 cm
Calculation:
30 × 40 × 25 = 30000
30000 / 1000 = 30
30 / 3.5 = 8.57 kg
Volume weight = 8.57 kg → rounded up to 9 kg
The shipping price will therefore be calculated as if the package weighs 9 kg.
Weight rounding
Carriers normally round up both:
- actual weight
- volume weight
to the nearest whole kilogram.
The highest value is used as the basis for the shipping cost.
Volume weight calculator
If your webshop uses shipping methods that calculate shipping based on volume weight, your products must have the correct dimensions registered.
This allows the system to calculate the correct shipping cost in checkout.
A volume weight calculator makes it easier to calculate the correct volume weight for your products.
The calculator helps you determine the correct volume weight so that shipping costs are calculated accurately in your webshop.