Volumetric Weight Calculator

What is Volumetric Weight Calculator - How is it Helpful?

When you ship products via courier partners, you may have noticed that you need to provide details about the size of your parcel. This is because shipping companies also take into account the space occupied by your parcel when calculating the delivery charges.

In fact, they charge you based on the higher weight of your parcel’s actual and dimensional weight.

Thus, when you ship items in bulk, using a volumetric weight calculator is highly recommended. It will help efficiently pack your goods, optimise cargo carrying capacity, and avoid wastage of space on the transportation vehicle.

Go through the sections below to learn about the volumetric weight calculator in detail!

Volumetric Weight Calculator: Overview

Volumetric weight, also known as dimensional weight, is the calculated weight of a package based on its volume or dimension rather than its actual weight. A volumetric weight calculator is a tool that enables you to calculate the volumetric or dimensional weight of your parcel.

This dimensional weight is calculated by multiplying the parcel’s length, width, and height by dividing it by a courier-specific constant. This constant will tend to vary depending on the type of service you opt for, and your shipping charges will be calculated based on the higher weight among the volumetric and actual weights.

For instance, you want to ship a parcel using a box with 60 cm length, 35 cm width, and 15 cm height. Upon weighing, you find that its weight is 5 kg and using a volumetric weight calculator, you find the dimensional weight to be 6.3 kg.

Thus, as the volumetric weight is higher, the shipping company will charge you based on it.

Understanding the Importance of Volumetric Weight in Logistics

All freight transportation modes (road, sea, and air transport) have a limited cargo capacity. This capacity is determined by factors like total allowable weight and package dimensions, making volumetric weight a crucial factor.

If a parcel occupies more space in relation to its actual weight, it can lead to capacity problems and difficulties in shipping.

Thus, by calculating the volumetric weight, logistics companies can make better loading strategies in order to maximise cargo space utilisation and avoid situations of lack of space or overweight.

Moreover, it will help them charge more accurate shipping rates based on the space the parcel occupies in the vehicle.

As a result, using a volumetric calculator to determine shipping rates is standard across logistics providers.

How to Calculate Volumetric Weight?

Volumetric weight is calculated using the formula:

Volumetric Weight = (Length x Width x Height) / Volume Factor

Here, length is the longest dimension of the package, while width and height are the two dimensions perpendicular to one another.

Meanwhile, the volume factor refers to a value that tends to differ based on sector-specific units of measurement and regulations. It helps convert measurement units to a common standard and is usually expressed in cubic metres per unit weight.

For example: lb/ft³ or kg/m³.

Now, manually determining the volumetric weight using this formula can be tedious and lead to errors. It can also be a major hassle when making bulk shipments. Thus, it is always recommended to use a volumetric weight calculator.

Actual Weight Vs Volumetric Weight: Key Differences

Check out the key differences between actual weight and volumetric weight in the table below:

Parameters	Actual Weight	Volumetric Weight
Definition	Actual weight refers to the physical mass of the parcel.	Volumetric weight refers to the dimensional weight of a parcel based on its length, breadth, height, and courier-specific factors.
Purpose	Used to calculate shipping costs when parcels are heavier compared to their size.	Used to calculate shipping costs when parcels occupy more space in relation to their actual weight.
Units	kg, lbs	kg/m³, lb/ft³

Using a Volumetric Weight Calculator for Your Shipping Needs

When packing goods for shipping, using a volumetric weight calculator can enable you to determine whether the logistics company will calculate the shipping charges based on the volumetric weight or the actual weight.

This will also enable you to get an idea of the final transportation charges and make decisions accordingly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Volumetric Weight Calculator

The steps to use a volumetric weight calculator are as follows:

Step 1: Once you are at volumetric weight calculator. When the screen loads, enter your package length, width and height.

Step 2: Click on ‘Calculate’.

Your parcel’s volumetric weight will be displayed on the screen. If you are planning to send a parcel superfast, you can click on get an estimate button to generate an estimate and book an order with us.

Benefits of Using a Volumetric Weight Calculator for Your Logistics Business

Following are some of the benefits of using a volumetric weight calculator for your logistics business:

• Helps adjust the size of your packaging as per the parcel’s actual size in order to reduce its volumetric weight
• Enables you to maximise cargo space usage as you know how much space a parcel will occupy
• Assists you in determining accurate transportation rates, keeping your operations sustainable

Now that you know the importance of using a volumetric weight calculator, all you need to do is find a reliable and cost-effective shipping partner to cater to your delivery requirements.

In this regard, Porter Courier Services can be an ideal choice. We enable you to transport a wide variety of goods ranging from household items, heartfelt gifts, e-commerce merchandise, FMCG, construction materials, bulk couriers, etc.

We provide on-time local and intercity courier deliveries in 20 cities across India at industry-best rates! Moreover, we offer door-to-door pickup and delivery services all across the country. You can also rely on us for urgent same-day deliveries.

Download the Porter app today and avail seamless deliveries at your fingertips!