Dimensional weight, also known as volumetric weight, is a pricing technique for commercial freight transport (including courier and postal services), which uses an estimated weight that is calculated from the length, width and height of a package.

  1. Measure the length, width and height of a single unit in either inches or meters. Whichever unit of measurement you use, measure all dimensions in the same unit of measurement. ...
  2. Multiply the length, width and height of the unit together.
  3. Divide the result by 1728 if your measurements were in inches. ...
  4. Finished.


This can be why some lighter shipments seem like they cost more than you think they should.