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12 × 12 × 6 Box Dimensional Weight

Billable weight for a 12 × 12 × 6 in box, a common size for apparel, bedding and flat-packed goods, 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, 3 lb
USPS Ground Advantage
3 lb
Actual weight (DIM exempt)
USPS Priority Mail
3 lb
Actual weight (DIM exempt)
UPS Ground
7 lb
4 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
FedEx Ground
7 lb
4 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÷ 1393 lb
  2. 2USPS Priority Mail÷ 1393 lb
  3. 3UPS Ground÷ 1397 lb
  4. 4FedEx Ground÷ 1397 lb
Service by service, in each one's billing unit
ServiceDivisorDIM weightActualBillable, shipmentBilled on
USPS Ground Advantage139Exempt3 lb3 lbActual weight (DIM exempt)
USPS Priority Mail139Exempt3 lb3 lbActual weight (DIM exempt)
UPS Ground1397 lb3 lb7 lbDIM weight
FedEx Ground1397 lb3 lb7 lbDIM weight

How is the 12 × 12 × 6 in box's DIM weight calculated?

A 12 × 12 × 6 in box is 864 cubic inches, so UPS and FedEx bill it at no less than 7 lb. USPS bills it at actual weight, because at 864 in³ it is not over one cubic foot. Heavier than 7 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 × 6 in box at 3 lb, by service
ServiceDivisorDIM weightBilled atBills actual weight from
UPS Ground1397 lb7 lb7 lb
FedEx Ground1397 lb7 lb7 lb
USPS Ground Advantage1397 lb (exempt)3 lbAny weight
DHL Express Worldwide1397 lb7 lb7 lb
Canada Post Regular Parcel6,0002.5 kg2.5 kg2.5 kg
Australia Post Parcel Post4,0004 kg4 kg4 kg
Air freight (IATA)6,0002.5 kg2.5 kg2.5 kg

Worked example

A 12 × 12 × 6 in box weighing 3 lb.

  1. 1UPS Ground: divisor 139, billed at 7 lb (DIM weight)
  2. 2USPS Ground Advantage: divisor 139, billed at 3 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 × 6 box?

7 lb on UPS and FedEx: 864 in³ ÷ 139 = 6.22, rounded up to the next pound. USPS bills it at actual weight, because at 864 in³ it is not over one cubic foot. Internationally it is 3 kg by express courier (÷ 5000) and 2.5 kg as air cargo (÷ 6000).

How heavy does a 12 × 12 × 6 box have to be to avoid DIM weight?

At least 7 lb on UPS and FedEx. Below that, you pay for 7 lb whatever the box weighs; USPS always bills this box at its actual weight. At a typical 3 lb for apparel, bedding and flat-packed goods, you are billed for 4 lb of air.

How much would a smaller box save over 12 × 12 × 6?

Taking 2 in off the height, to 12 × 12 × 4, cuts the UPS and FedEx DIM weight from 7 lb to 5 lb. At 3 lb, a height of 2 in or less bills at actual weight. Void fill and oversized boxes are the most common DIM leak.

Sources

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