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12 × 12 × 12 Box Dimensional Weight

Billable weight for a 12 × 12 × 12 in box, a common size for mixed orders and small appliances, and the most common e-commerce box, on UPS, FedEx, USPS, international express and air cargo.

Updated · By Niraj Kumar · 8 sources

Box

Measured inMeasured in
in
in
in

Measure the packed box at its widest points, bulges included. UPS, FedEx and USPS round every fractional inch up.

lb

Parcels are rated box by box; freight on the whole shipment.

Compare

ServicesServices
Least DIM penalty (tie)USPS Ground and USPS PriorityBilled at actual weight, 5 lb
USPS Ground Advantage
5 lb
Actual weight (DIM exempt)
USPS Priority Mail
5 lb
Actual weight (DIM exempt)
UPS Ground
13 lb
8 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
FedEx Ground
13 lb
8 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
Chargeable weight for this shipment, in lb, lightest firstHover or focus a row for the DIM and actual weight behind it. Services billed in the other unit are converted.
  1. 1USPS Ground Advantage÷ 1395 lb
  2. 2USPS Priority Mail÷ 1395 lb
  3. 3UPS Ground÷ 13913 lb
  4. 4FedEx Ground÷ 13913 lb
Service by service, in each one's billing unit
ServiceDivisorDIM weightActualBillable, shipmentBilled on
USPS Ground Advantage139Exempt5 lb5 lbActual weight (DIM exempt)
USPS Priority Mail139Exempt5 lb5 lbActual weight (DIM exempt)
UPS Ground13913 lb5 lb13 lbDIM weight
FedEx Ground13913 lb5 lb13 lbDIM weight

How is the 12 × 12 × 12 in box's DIM weight calculated?

A 12 × 12 × 12 in box is 1,728 cubic inches, so UPS and FedEx bill it at no less than 13 lb. USPS bills it at actual weight, because at 1,728 in³ it is not over one cubic foot. Heavier than 13 lb, every carrier bills actual weight.

DIM weight = L × W × H ÷ divisor; billable = max(actual, DIM, surcharge minimum)

This page uses the same method as the Shipping DIM Weight Comparison Calculator, which explains each term and assumption in full.

A 12 × 12 × 12 in box at 5 lb, by service
ServiceDivisorDIM weightBilled atBills actual weight from
UPS Ground13913 lb13 lb13 lb
FedEx Ground13913 lb13 lb13 lb
USPS Ground Advantage13913 lb (exempt)5 lbAny weight
DHL Express Worldwide13913 lb13 lb13 lb
Canada Post Regular Parcel6,0005 kg5 kg5 kg
Australia Post Parcel Post4,0007.5 kg7.5 kg7.5 kg
Air freight (IATA)6,0005 kg5 kg5 kg

Worked example

A 12 × 12 × 12 in box weighing 5 lb.

  1. 1UPS Ground: divisor 139, billed at 13 lb (DIM weight)
  2. 2USPS Ground Advantage: divisor 139, billed at 5 lb (actual weight)

USPS Ground Advantage bills it lighter, so it takes the smaller DIM penalty.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dimensional weight of a 12 × 12 × 12 box?

13 lb on UPS and FedEx: 1,728 in³ ÷ 139 = 12.43, rounded up to the next pound. USPS bills it at actual weight, because at 1,728 in³ it is not over one cubic foot. Internationally it is 6 kg by express courier (÷ 5000) and 5 kg as air cargo (÷ 6000).

How heavy does a 12 × 12 × 12 box have to be to avoid DIM weight?

At least 13 lb on UPS and FedEx. Below that, you pay for 13 lb whatever the box weighs; USPS always bills this box at its actual weight. At a typical 5 lb for mixed orders and small appliances, and the most common e-commerce box, you are billed for 8 lb of air.

How much would a smaller box save over 12 × 12 × 12?

Taking 2 in off the height, to 12 × 12 × 10, cuts the UPS and FedEx DIM weight from 13 lb to 11 lb. At 5 lb, a height of 4 in or less bills at actual weight. Void fill and oversized boxes are the most common DIM leak.

Sources

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