Shopping
Volumetric weight
Carriers charge on the greater of actual and volumetric weight, because space is the scarce resource.
The Formula
volumetric weight = length x width x height / divisor
Carriers charge on the greater of actual and volumetric weight, because space is the scarce resource.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| w v | Volumetric weight | kilograms | Notional weight from the parcel's volume. |
| l | Length | centimetres | Longest dimension of the parcel. |
| w | Width | centimetres | Second dimension. |
| h | Height | centimetres | Third dimension. |
| k | Divisor | ratio | Carrier specific, commonly 5000 or 6000. |
What Each Symbol Means
w vkilograms
Volumetric weight
Notional weight from the parcel's volume.
lcentimetres
Length
Longest dimension of the parcel.
wcentimetres
Width
Second dimension.
hcentimetres
Height
Third dimension.
kratio
Divisor
Carrier specific, commonly 5000 or 6000.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate shipping cost page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Shipping Cost, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.