How is volumetric weight calculated for DHL, FedEx and UPS, and what divisors do they use?
Answer
Length × width × height ÷ divisor = volumetric weight; you pay on whichever is higher, actual or volumetric. In centimetres and kilograms, DHL and FedEx international publish a divisor of 5000. In inches and pounds, DHL, FedEx US and UPS Daily Rates use 139, and UPS Retail Rates use 166. FedEx Regional Economy uses 4000. All three can change these, so check the quote on your own account.
- Applies to
- Sellers and buyers shipping parcels or samples by DHL, FedEx or UPS who need to estimate freight.
Formula and divisors
| Carrier | Units | Divisor | Official wording | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHL | cm, kg | 5000 | "Standard Volumetric Divisor is 5000 for the weight in KG and dimensions in CM" | DHL help (search excerpt) |
| DHL | in, lb | 139 | "or 139 for weights in lbs and dimensions in inches" | Same; DHL US service and rate guide 2026 (excerpt) |
| FedEx international | cm, kg | 5000; Regional Economy 4000 | "length x height x width in cm/5,000 … For FedEx Regional Economy … DIM divisor is 4,000." | FedEx rates (Ireland) (excerpt) |
| FedEx US | in, lb | 139 | "Dividing by 139 for U.S., Puerto Rico, and international shipments." | FedEx: what is dimensional weight (excerpt) |
| UPS US | in, lb | Daily 139, Retail 166 | "139 for Daily Rates; 166 for Retail Rates." | UPS: dimensions and weight (full page read) |
Billing rule (DHL): "Shipments will be charged according to the higher of actual or volumetric (dimensional) weight per piece." DHL reserves the right to change the formula at any time.
Worked example
A 50 × 40 × 30 cm box weighing 8 kg, divisor 5000:
- Volumetric weight = 50 × 40 × 30 ÷ 5000 = 12 kg
- 12 kg is higher than 8 kg, so you are billed for 12 kg.
What to do
- Measure the outer box at its longest, widest and tallest points; FedEx US rounds each side to the nearest inch.
- For light, bulky goods (clothing, lampshades, toys), work out volumetric weight first; a snug box saves money.
- Ask which divisor your quote uses; contract rates can differ from published ones.
Before you pay: checks and red flags
- If a forwarder quotes "actual weight only", ask whether volumetric weight is added later on the invoice.
- Channels use different divisors (4000, 5000, 6000); convert to one basis before comparing prices.
Unknowns
- UPS divisor in cm/kg: official wording not read this round.
- Several DHL and FedEx pages were used from search excerpts of the official page, not opened in full; no page dates shown.
- Postal (EMS, small packet) volumetric rules are outside this page.
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