CheckPre

18 × 18 × 18 Box Dimensional Weight

Billable weight for an 18 × 18 × 18 in box, a common size for comforters, lampshades and light bulky items, 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 same42 lbBilled 42 lb for 12 lb of actual weight
UPS Ground
42 lb
30 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
FedEx Ground
42 lb
30 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage
42 lb
30 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
USPS Priority Mail
42 lb
30 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÷ 13942 lb
  2. 2FedEx Ground÷ 13942 lb
  3. 3USPS Ground Advantage÷ 13942 lbUSPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
  4. 4USPS Priority Mail÷ 13942 lbUSPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
Service by service, in each one's billing unit
ServiceDivisorDIM weightActualBillable, shipmentBilled on
UPS Ground13942 lb12 lb42 lbDIM weight
FedEx Ground13942 lb12 lb42 lbDIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage13942 lb12 lb42 lbDIM weight · USPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
USPS Priority Mail13942 lb12 lb42 lbDIM weight · USPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet

How is the 18 × 18 × 18 in box's DIM weight calculated?

An 18 × 18 × 18 in box is 5,832 cubic inches, so UPS and FedEx bill it at no less than 42 lb. USPS charges the same 42 lb, since at 3.38 cubic feet it is over its one-cubic-foot threshold. Heavier than 42 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.

An 18 × 18 × 18 in box at 12 lb, by service
ServiceDivisorDIM weightBilled atBills actual weight from
UPS Ground13942 lb42 lb42 lb
FedEx Ground13942 lb42 lb42 lb
USPS Ground Advantage13942 lb42 lb42 lb
DHL Express Worldwide13942 lb42 lb42 lb
Canada Post Regular Parcel6,00016 kg16 kg16 kg
Australia Post Parcel Post4,00024 kg24 kg24 kg
Air freight (IATA)6,00016 kg16 kg16 kg

Worked example

An 18 × 18 × 18 in box weighing 12 lb.

  1. 1UPS Ground: divisor 139, billed at 42 lb (DIM weight)
  2. 2USPS Ground Advantage: divisor 139, billed at 42 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 18 × 18 × 18 box?

42 lb on UPS and FedEx: 5,832 in³ ÷ 139 = 41.96, rounded up to the next pound. USPS charges the same 42 lb, since at 3.38 cubic feet it is over its one-cubic-foot threshold. Internationally it is 19.5 kg by express courier (÷ 5000) and 16 kg as air cargo (÷ 6000).

How heavy does a 18 × 18 × 18 box have to be to avoid DIM weight?

At least 42 lb on UPS and FedEx. Below that, you pay for 42 lb whatever the box weighs. At a typical 12 lb for comforters, lampshades and light bulky items, you are billed for 30 lb of air.

How much would a smaller box save over 18 × 18 × 18?

Taking 2 in off the height, to 18 × 18 × 16, cuts the UPS and FedEx DIM weight from 42 lb to 38 lb. At 12 lb, a height of 5 in or less bills at actual weight. Void fill and oversized boxes are the most common DIM leak.

Sources

Related calculators

More in Freight & Logistics