{
  "slug": "dimensional-weight",
  "title": "Dimensional Weight Calculator",
  "heading": "DIM Weight Calculator",
  "category": "other",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/dimensional-weight",
  "summary": "Billable weight from box dimensions using the carrier's divisor.",
  "description": "Carriers bill on whichever is greater: actual weight or dimensional weight. DIM weight is length × width × height divided by a divisor set by the carrier and service, so a light but bulky box costs far more than the scale suggests.",
  "formula": "DIM weight = (L × W × H) ÷ divisor; billable = max(actual, DIM), rounded up.",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=dimensional-weight",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "length",
      "label": "Length",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 18,
      "unit": "in",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "width",
      "label": "Width",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 14,
      "unit": "in",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "height",
      "label": "Height",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 12,
      "unit": "in",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "actual",
      "label": "Actual weight",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 9,
      "unit": "lb",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "divisor",
      "label": "DIM divisor",
      "kind": "select",
      "hint": null,
      "default": "139",
      "options": [
        {
          "value": "139",
          "label": "139 — standard retail (UPS/FedEx)"
        },
        {
          "value": "166",
          "label": "166 — USPS / negotiated"
        },
        {
          "value": "194",
          "label": "194 — some contract rates"
        },
        {
          "value": "250",
          "label": "250 — international air freight"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "ratePerLb",
      "label": "Rate per billable pound",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 1.35,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "billable",
      "label": "Billable weight (lb)",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "dim",
      "label": "Dimensional weight (lb)",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "penalty",
      "label": "Pounds added by box size",
      "format": "decimal",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "cubic",
      "label": "Cubic inches",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "cost",
      "label": "Estimated shipping cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Length: 18 in",
      "Width: 14 in",
      "Height: 12 in",
      "Actual weight: 9 lb",
      "DIM divisor: 139 — standard retail (UPS/FedEx)",
      "Rate per billable pound: 1.35 $"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Billable weight (lb): 22",
      "Dimensional weight (lb): 21.76",
      "Pounds added by box size: 12.76",
      "Cubic inches: 3,024",
      "Estimated shipping cost: $29.70"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter length (in).",
      "Enter width (in).",
      "Enter height (in).",
      "Enter actual weight (lb).",
      "Enter dim divisor.",
      "Enter rate per billable pound ($).",
      "Read your billable weight (lb) on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "length": 11,
        "width": 8,
        "height": 12,
        "actual": 5.3999999999999995,
        "divisor": "139",
        "ratePerLb": 0.81
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "length": 18,
        "width": 14,
        "height": 12,
        "actual": 9,
        "divisor": "139",
        "ratePerLb": 1.35
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "length": 29,
        "width": 22,
        "height": 12,
        "actual": 14.4,
        "divisor": "139",
        "ratePerLb": 2.16
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Estimates assume standard, average conditions — local rules, pricing, and materials vary.",
    "Results are rounded for readability; add a buffer before ordering, booking, or committing.",
    "Double-check anything with a real cost attached against a local quote."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "How do I lower DIM weight?",
      "a": "Shrink the box. Dropping each dimension by an inch on an 18×14×12 carton removes roughly 500 cubic inches, which is about 3.6 billable pounds at a 139 divisor."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does DIM weight apply to every package?",
      "a": "For major US carriers it applies to essentially all ground and air packages. Flat-rate and cubic-priced services are the main exceptions."
    }
  ],
  "related": [],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Dimensional Weight Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/dimensional-weight)"
}