Free tool
Volumetric weight calculator
See what couriers will actually bill your parcel — volumetric weight, actual weight and the chargeable weight that decides the price.
Formula: (L × W × H in cm) ÷ divisor = volumetric weight in kg. Couriers bill the higher of actual and volumetric weight.
How volumetric weight works
A delivery van fills up by volume long before it reaches its weight limit, so couriers price the space a parcel occupies, not just its mass. Indian carriers compute volumetric weight = (length × width × height in cm) ÷ 5000 and bill whichever is higher: that figure or the scale weight. A 900 g pair of sneakers in a 35×25×15 cm box has a volumetric weight of 2.63 kg — and is billed as 2.63 kg.
If you quote shipping at checkout from actual weight alone, every bulky SKU silently loses you money. The shipping rate calculator applies this math automatically when you provide dimensions — as does the Postpin API on every rate call.
Frequently asked questions
How is volumetric weight calculated in India?
Multiply the parcel's length, width and height in centimetres and divide by 5000. The result is the volumetric weight in kilograms. Couriers bill the higher of this and the actual scale weight — called the chargeable weight.
Why is my parcel billed heavier than it weighs?
Because its volumetric weight exceeds its actual weight — the parcel takes more vehicle space than its mass justifies. Light but bulky items (cushions, shoes, toys) are almost always billed by volume.
Which divisor should I use — 5000, 4500 or 6000?
5000 is the standard for Indian domestic shipping across surface and air. A few express products use 4500, and some international lanes use 6000. Check your carrier's rate card; when in doubt, use 5000.
How can I reduce volumetric weight?
Use the smallest box that protects the product, switch soft goods to poly mailers, and compress items like bedding with vacuum bags. Because the formula multiplies three dimensions, small reductions on each side compound quickly.
Related reading: Volumetric weight explained — why your 1 kg parcel is billed as 5 kg