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16 × 16 × 16 Box Dimensional Weight

Billable weight for a 16 × 16 × 16 in box, a common size for bulky home goods, pillows and larger appliances, 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
Every service bills the same30 lbBilled 30 lb for 10 lb of actual weight
UPS Ground
30 lb
20 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
FedEx Ground
30 lb
20 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage
30 lb
20 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
USPS Priority Mail
30 lb
20 lb over actual weight · DIM weight

Cut the height to 5 in or less and UPS bills actual 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. 1UPS Ground÷ 13930 lb
  2. 2FedEx Ground÷ 13930 lb
  3. 3USPS Ground Advantage÷ 13930 lbUSPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
  4. 4USPS Priority Mail÷ 13930 lbUSPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
Service by service, in each one's billing unit
ServiceDivisorDIM weightActualBillable, shipmentBilled on
UPS Ground13930 lb10 lb30 lbDIM weight
FedEx Ground13930 lb10 lb30 lbDIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage13930 lb10 lb30 lbDIM weight · USPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
USPS Priority Mail13930 lb10 lb30 lbDIM weight · USPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet

How is the 16 × 16 × 16 in box's DIM weight calculated?

A 16 × 16 × 16 in box is 4,096 cubic inches, so UPS and FedEx bill it at no less than 30 lb. USPS charges the same 30 lb, since at 2.37 cubic feet it is over its one-cubic-foot threshold. Heavier than 30 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 16 × 16 × 16 in box at 10 lb, by service
ServiceDivisorDIM weightBilled atBills actual weight from
UPS Ground13930 lb30 lb30 lb
FedEx Ground13930 lb30 lb30 lb
USPS Ground Advantage13930 lb30 lb30 lb
DHL Express Worldwide13930 lb30 lb30 lb
Canada Post Regular Parcel6,00011.5 kg11.5 kg11.5 kg
Australia Post Parcel Post4,00017 kg17 kg17 kg
Air freight (IATA)6,00011.5 kg11.5 kg11.5 kg

Worked example

A 16 × 16 × 16 in box weighing 10 lb.

  1. 1UPS Ground: divisor 139, billed at 30 lb (DIM weight)
  2. 2USPS Ground Advantage: divisor 139, billed at 30 lb (DIM weight)

Both bill the same weight, so the rate card decides which is cheaper.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dimensional weight of a 16 × 16 × 16 box?

30 lb on UPS and FedEx: 4,096 in³ ÷ 139 = 29.47, rounded up to the next pound. USPS charges the same 30 lb, since at 2.37 cubic feet it is over its one-cubic-foot threshold. Internationally it is 13.5 kg by express courier (÷ 5000) and 11.5 kg as air cargo (÷ 6000).

How heavy does a 16 × 16 × 16 box have to be to avoid DIM weight?

At least 30 lb on UPS and FedEx. Below that, you pay for 30 lb whatever the box weighs. At a typical 10 lb for bulky home goods, pillows and larger appliances, you are billed for 20 lb of air.

How much would a smaller box save over 16 × 16 × 16?

Taking 2 in off the height, to 16 × 16 × 14, cuts the UPS and FedEx DIM weight from 30 lb to 26 lb. At 10 lb, a height of 5 in or less bills at actual weight. Void fill and oversized boxes are the most common DIM leak.

Sources

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