Dimensional weight is a pricing method used by shipping companies to account for the space occupied by a package in relation to its weight. It is also known as volumetric weight, dim weight, or volume weight.
In general, shipping companies charge based on either the actual weight of the package or its dimensional weight, whichever is greater. This is because large, lightweight packages take up more space on a plane or cargo van than smaller, denser packages, even if they weigh less. The shipping company must therefore charge more to transport these packages, to account for the additional space they occupy.
To calculate the dimensional weight of a package, the shipping company typically uses a formula that takes into account the package's dimensions (length, width, and height) and a dimensional factor or "dim factor". The dim factor is a constant that varies depending on the unit of measurement used and the shipping company's policies. For example, the dim factor used by SPED is 139..
The formula for calculating dimensional weight is as follows:
Dimensional weight = (length x width x height) / dim factor
For example, let's say you are shipping a package that is 20 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 10 inches high, and the shipping company's dim factor is 139. The dimensional weight of the package would be:
Dimensional weight = (20 x 15 x 10) / 139 Dimensional weight = 21.58 pounds
If the actual weight of the package is less than 21.58 pounds, the shipping company would charge based on the dimensional weight instead of the actual weight.
In summary, understanding dimensional weight is important for determining the cost of shipping large, lightweight packages. It is calculated based on the package's dimensions and a dimensional factor, and is used by shipping companies to ensure they are appropriately compensated for the space occupied by a package.