UPS US Daily
2 lblighter with B
Base billable weight
- Package Aper package
- 5 lb / 2.268 kg
- Package Bper package
- 3 lb / 1.3608 kg
- per itemB − A
- -2 lb / -0.9072 kg
Package B3 lb
Billable Weight and Packaging Comparison Calculator
Light, bulky clothing is often billed by size. Compare two packages and see how many billable pounds a mailer or a thinner box saves.
- What weight will this parcel be billed at?
- How much does a mailer or a thinner box save?
- How small must the box be to avoid dimensional weight?
Compare packages by carrier
| Carrier and service scope | Package A | Package B | B − A |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail (retail weight pricing) | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg per item 2 lb / 0.9072 kg | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg per item 2 lb / 0.9072 kg | 0 lb / 0 kg |
| UPS US Daily | 5 lb / 2.268 kg per item 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg per item 3 lb / 1.3608 kg | -2 lb / -0.9072 kg |
| UPS US Retail | 5 lb / 2.268 kg per item 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg per item 3 lb / 1.3608 kg | -2 lb / -0.9072 kg |
| FedEx US packages | 5 lb / 2.268 kg per item 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg per item 3 lb / 1.3608 kg | -2 lb / -0.9072 kg |
| FedEx international (China export IP/IPE estimate) | 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb per item 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb | 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb per item 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb | -1 kg / -2.2046 lb |
| DHL Express (UK guide estimate) Dimension rounding unverified; measured-size estimate | 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb per item 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb | 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb per item 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb | -1 kg / -2.2046 lb |
Calculation steps and size targets
USPS Priority Mail (retail weight pricing)
US domestic zones 1–9; excludes Flat Rate, Cubic and Priority Mail Express. DIM billing is capped at 70 lb; this does not permit overweight parcels.
| Step | Package A | Package B |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions used | 35.56 × 30.48 × 10.16 cm 14 × 12 × 4 in | 35.56 × 30.48 × 5.08 cm 14 × 12 × 2 in |
| Bounding-box volume | 672 in³ | 336 in³ |
| USPS adjusted volume | 672 in³ | 263.76 in³ |
| Divisor | 139 in³/lb | 139 in³/lb |
| Dimensional weight (unrounded) | At or below threshold; DIM does not apply | At or below threshold; DIM does not apply |
| DIM billing band | At or below threshold; DIM does not apply | At or below threshold; DIM does not apply |
| Actual weight (unrounded) | 1.5432 lb / 0.7 kg | 1.433 lb / 0.65 kg |
| Actual-weight billing band | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg |
| Greater of actual and DIM (unrounded) | 1.5432 lb / 0.7 kg | 1.433 lb / 0.65 kg |
| Base billable weight | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg |
| per item | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg |
| Calculation steps and size targets | Maximum height for a lower billing band: Already at the actual-weight band; reducing height cannot lower it. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 25.4 cm / 10 in or less. | Maximum height for a lower billing band: Already at the actual-weight band; reducing height cannot lower it. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 33.02 cm / 13 in or less. |
UPS US Daily
US package Daily rules, guide edition 2026-09-07. Base billable weight only; large-package minimum billable weights are excluded.
| Step | Package A | Package B |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions used | 35.56 × 30.48 × 10.16 cm 14 × 12 × 4 in | 35.56 × 30.48 × 5.08 cm 14 × 12 × 2 in |
| Bounding-box volume | 672 in³ | 336 in³ |
| Divisor | 139 in³/lb | 139 in³/lb |
| Dimensional weight (unrounded) | 4.8345 lb / 2.1929 kg | 2.4173 lb / 1.0965 kg |
| DIM billing band | 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg |
| Actual weight (unrounded) | 1.5432 lb / 0.7 kg | 1.433 lb / 0.65 kg |
| Actual-weight billing band | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg |
| Greater of actual and DIM (unrounded) | 4.8345 lb / 2.1929 kg | 2.4173 lb / 1.0965 kg |
| Base billable weight | 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg |
| per item | 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg |
| Calculation steps and size targets | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 7.62 cm / 3 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 2.54 cm / 1 in or less. | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 2.54 cm / 1 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 2.54 cm / 1 in or less. |
UPS US Retail
US Retail published rules; dimensions follow the page’s explicit round-up instruction. Your purchase channel or agreement may differ.
| Step | Package A | Package B |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions used | 35.56 × 30.48 × 10.16 cm 14 × 12 × 4 in | 35.56 × 30.48 × 5.08 cm 14 × 12 × 2 in |
| Bounding-box volume | 672 in³ | 336 in³ |
| Divisor | 166 in³/lb | 166 in³/lb |
| Dimensional weight (unrounded) | 4.0482 lb / 1.8362 kg | 2.0241 lb / 0.9181 kg |
| DIM billing band | 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg |
| Actual weight (unrounded) | 1.5432 lb / 0.7 kg | 1.433 lb / 0.65 kg |
| Actual-weight billing band | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg |
| Greater of actual and DIM (unrounded) | 4.0482 lb / 1.8362 kg | 2.0241 lb / 0.9181 kg |
| Base billable weight | 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg |
| per item | 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg |
| Calculation steps and size targets | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 7.62 cm / 3 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 2.54 cm / 1 in or less. | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 2.54 cm / 1 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 2.54 cm / 1 in or less. |
FedEx US packages
US Express, Ground and Home Delivery in customer packaging. Rounding changed 2025-08-18; guide updated 2026-09-11. Excludes One Rate and oversize minimum billable weights.
| Step | Package A | Package B |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions used | 35.56 × 30.48 × 10.16 cm 14 × 12 × 4 in | 35.56 × 30.48 × 5.08 cm 14 × 12 × 2 in |
| Bounding-box volume | 672 in³ | 336 in³ |
| Divisor | 139 in³/lb | 139 in³/lb |
| Dimensional weight (unrounded) | 4.8345 lb / 2.1929 kg | 2.4173 lb / 1.0965 kg |
| DIM billing band | 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg |
| Actual weight (unrounded) | 1.5432 lb / 0.7 kg | 1.433 lb / 0.65 kg |
| Actual-weight billing band | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg | 2 lb / 0.9072 kg |
| Greater of actual and DIM (unrounded) | 4.8345 lb / 2.1929 kg | 2.4173 lb / 1.0965 kg |
| Base billable weight | 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg |
| per item | 5 lb / 2.268 kg | 3 lb / 1.3608 kg |
| Calculation steps and size targets | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 7.62 cm / 3 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 2.54 cm / 1 in or less. | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 2.54 cm / 1 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 2.54 cm / 1 in or less. |
FedEx international (China export IP/IPE estimate)
Estimated by rounding up to the published 0.5 kg bands for China exports outside Guangdong/Fujian, up to 20.5 kg, one customer-packed parcel. Fine weight rounding is unverified: carriage terms mention 0.01/0.51 kg boundaries; confirm borderline weights with FedEx. Dimension rounding effective 2025-08-18.
| Step | Package A | Package B |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions used | 35 × 30 × 10 cm 13.7795 × 11.811 × 3.937 in | 35 × 30 × 5 cm 13.7795 × 11.811 × 1.9685 in |
| Bounding-box volume | 10,500 cm³ | 5,250 cm³ |
| Divisor | 5,000 cm³/kg | 5,000 cm³/kg |
| Dimensional weight (unrounded) | 2.1 kg / 4.6297 lb | 1.05 kg / 2.3149 lb |
| DIM billing band | 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb | 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb |
| Actual weight (unrounded) | 0.7 kg / 1.5432 lb | 0.65 kg / 1.433 lb |
| Actual-weight billing band | 1 kg / 2.2046 lb | 1 kg / 2.2046 lb |
| Greater of actual and DIM (unrounded) | 2.1 kg / 4.6297 lb | 1.05 kg / 2.3149 lb |
| Base billable weight | 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb | 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb |
| per item | 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb | 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb |
| Calculation steps and size targets | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 9 cm / 3.5433 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 4 cm / 1.5748 in or less. | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 4 cm / 1.5748 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 4 cm / 1.5748 in or less. |
DHL Express (UK guide estimate)
UK guide confirms 5000 and rounding up to 0.5 kg. Dimension rounding could not be verified; this estimate uses measured cm. Check other origins and services against your agreement.
| Step | Package A | Package B |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions used | 35 × 30 × 10 cm 13.7795 × 11.811 × 3.937 in | 35 × 30 × 5 cm 13.7795 × 11.811 × 1.9685 in |
| Bounding-box volume | 10,500 cm³ | 5,250 cm³ |
| Divisor | 5,000 cm³/kg | 5,000 cm³/kg |
| Dimensional weight (unrounded) | 2.1 kg / 4.6297 lb | 1.05 kg / 2.3149 lb |
| DIM billing band | 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb | 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb |
| Actual weight (unrounded) | 0.7 kg / 1.5432 lb | 0.65 kg / 1.433 lb |
| Actual-weight billing band | 1 kg / 2.2046 lb | 1 kg / 2.2046 lb |
| Greater of actual and DIM (unrounded) | 2.1 kg / 4.6297 lb | 1.05 kg / 2.3149 lb |
| Base billable weight | 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb | 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb |
| per item | 2.5 kg / 5.5116 lb | 1.5 kg / 3.3069 lb |
| Calculation steps and size targets | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 9.5238 cm / 3.7495 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 4.7619 cm / 1.8747 in or less. (Dimension rounding unverified; measured-size estimate) | Maximum height for a lower billing band: 4.7619 cm / 1.8747 in or less. Maximum height with no DIM weight premium: 4.7619 cm / 1.8747 in or less. (Dimension rounding unverified; measured-size estimate) |
Apparel package examples
| Example inputs | USPS Priority Mail (retail weight pricing) | UPS US Daily | UPS US Retail | FedEx US packages | FedEx international (China export IP/IPE estimate) | DHL Express (UK guide estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-shirt mailer 30 × 25 × 3 cm; 0.25 kg; 1 items | 1 / 1 lb | 2 / 2 lb | 2 / 2 lb | 2 / 2 lb | 0.5 / 0.5 kg | 0.5 / 0.5 kg |
| Hoodie box 35 × 30 × 10 cm; 0.7 kg; 1 items | 2 / 2 lb | 5 / 5 lb | 5 / 5 lb | 5 / 5 lb | 2.5 / 2.5 kg | 2.5 / 2.5 kg |
| Box of 5 T-shirts 40 × 30 × 15 cm; 1.3 kg; 5 items | 3 / 0.6 lb | 9 / 1.8 lb | 7 / 1.4 lb | 9 / 1.8 lb | 4 / 0.8 kg | 4 / 0.8 kg |
How it works
- Convert to each rule’s native units, then apply its dimension rounding. Switching input units does not switch carrier rules.
- Volume = processed length × width × height. For a nonrectangular USPS parcel, multiply by 0.785 before testing the 1,728 in³ threshold. At or below it, DIM does not apply.
- Dimensional weight = applicable volume ÷ divisor. Round actual and dimensional weights up to their billing bands, then take the greater. USPS caps DIM billing at 70 lb; no result is given when actual weight exceeds 70 lb.
- Billable weight per item = billable weight per package ÷ item count, without further rounding. This is an allocation, not the weight for mailing each item separately.
- With length, width and actual weight fixed, height limit = target weight T × divisor ÷ (processed length × width × shape factor). Floor the height for whole-dimension rules. USPS also permits dropping below the DIM threshold. A target below the actual-weight band is impossible by resizing alone.
- Conversions use 1 in = 2.54 cm and 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg (NIST). 139 in³/lb is not exactly 5000 cm³/kg, and their dimension rounding uses different units.
Rules, sources and effective dates
| Carrier and service scope | Divisor | Dimension / weight rounding | DIM threshold | Effective date | Checked | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail (retail weight pricing) | 139 in³/lb | Each side up to whole in; Weight up to 1 lb | > 1,728 in³ | 2026-07-12 | 2026-10-22 | Official source 1 Official source 2 US domestic zones 1–9; excludes Flat Rate, Cubic and Priority Mail Express. DIM billing is capped at 70 lb; this does not permit overweight parcels. |
| UPS US Daily | 139 in³/lb | Each side up to whole in; Weight up to 1 lb | No volume threshold | Effective date not stated | 2026-10-22 | Official source 1 Official source 2 US package Daily rules, guide edition 2026-09-07. Base billable weight only; large-package minimum billable weights are excluded. |
| UPS US Retail | 166 in³/lb | Each side up to whole in; Weight up to 1 lb | No volume threshold | Effective date not stated | 2026-10-22 | Official source 1 US Retail published rules; dimensions follow the page’s explicit round-up instruction. Your purchase channel or agreement may differ. |
| FedEx US packages | 139 in³/lb | Each side up to whole in; Weight up to 1 lb | No volume threshold | 2025-08-18 | 2026-10-22 | Official source 1 Official source 2 US Express, Ground and Home Delivery in customer packaging. Rounding changed 2025-08-18; guide updated 2026-09-11. Excludes One Rate and oversize minimum billable weights. |
| FedEx international (China export IP/IPE estimate) | 5000 cm³/kg | Each side up to whole cm; Weight up to 0.5 kg (fine weight rounding unverified) | No volume threshold | 2026-01-05 | 2026-10-22 | Official source 1 Official source 2 Official source 3 Official source 4 Estimated by rounding up to the published 0.5 kg bands for China exports outside Guangdong/Fujian, up to 20.5 kg, one customer-packed parcel. Fine weight rounding is unverified: carriage terms mention 0.01/0.51 kg boundaries; confirm borderline weights with FedEx. Dimension rounding effective 2025-08-18. |
| DHL Express (UK guide estimate) | 5000 cm³/kg | Dimension rounding unverified; measured cm; Weight up to 0.5 kg | No volume threshold | Effective date not stated | 2026-10-22 | Official source 1 UK guide confirms 5000 and rounding up to 0.5 kg. Dimension rounding could not be verified; this estimate uses measured cm. Check other origins and services against your agreement. |
Have an AI assistant check your packaging
This prompt updates with your inputs. Copy it to check measurements, billing rules and packaging options.
Questions
What is dimensional weight?
It converts the space a parcel occupies into a weight. Light, bulky parcels may be billed by DIM weight; small, dense parcels are often billed by actual weight.
Why can a mailer cost less than a box?
A thinner filled mailer with less empty space can reduce DIM weight. If actual weight already controls the bill, it may not lower the band. Measure the sealed parcel, not the empty bag. Consider product protection and packaging surcharges too.
What is the difference between 139 and 166?
Both are in³/lb here. Dividing the same volume by 166 gives a lower DIM weight than dividing by 139. UPS US Daily and Retail publish 139 and 166 respectively, but prices also depend on the rate schedule.
How do I use a contract divisor?
Enter it under the matching carrier; clear it to restore the published value. Do not put 5000 cm³/kg in an in³/lb field. Verify your agreement’s rounding, thresholds and minimum weights separately.
When does USPS use DIM weight?
This page’s USPS row is Priority Mail retail weight pricing. For a rectangular parcel, DIM starts above 1,728 in³ after rounding each side up. The 2026-07-12 bulletin also changes relevant rules for Priority Mail Express, Ground Advantage and Parcel Select; their weight bands and service conditions differ.
Can a USPS mailer use Cubic pricing?
Eligible soft packs and padded envelopes have separate Cubic measurement rules: original packaging length plus width, each rounded down to 1/4 in. Pleated, expandable packs use the three-dimensional method. Cubic is volume-tier pricing, not billable pounds. See USPS DMM 283 §1.3; this tool does not calculate Cubic prices or eligibility.
Does every USPS light parcel round up to 1 lb?
No. This tool uses Priority Mail weight pricing. Ground Advantage has 4, 8, 12 and 15.999 oz light-parcel bands; do not use the Priority Mail result for it. See DMM 283 §1.1.
Does switching cm/kg to in/lb change the result?
Inputs are converted, but the rules stay fixed. US rules still round in inches and pounds; metric rules use centimetres and kilograms. The other weight unit is a conversion, not a second billing-rounding step.
Does a lower billable weight mean cheaper shipping?
Not necessarily. Your contract can charge the same price for different weight bands, and carriers have different zone rates, discounts and surcharges. Use these weights with your own rate card.
Version history
2026-10-22: First release with two packages, contract divisors, per-item weights and height targets.