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20 × 20 × 20 Box Dimensional Weight

Billable weight for a 20 × 20 × 20 in box, a common size for large moving boxes, toys and seasonal décor, 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 same58 lbBilled 58 lb for 15 lb of actual weight
UPS Ground
58 lb
43 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
FedEx Ground
58 lb
43 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage
58 lb
43 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
USPS Priority Mail
58 lb
43 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÷ 13958 lb
  2. 2FedEx Ground÷ 13958 lb
  3. 3USPS Ground Advantage÷ 13958 lbUSPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
  4. 4USPS Priority Mail÷ 13958 lbUSPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
Service by service, in each one's billing unit
ServiceDivisorDIM weightActualBillable, shipmentBilled on
UPS Ground13958 lb15 lb58 lbDIM weight
FedEx Ground13958 lb15 lb58 lbDIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage13958 lb15 lb58 lbDIM weight · USPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
USPS Priority Mail13958 lb15 lb58 lbDIM weight · USPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet

How is the 20 × 20 × 20 in box's DIM weight calculated?

A 20 × 20 × 20 in box is 8,000 cubic inches, so UPS and FedEx bill it at no less than 58 lb. USPS charges the same 58 lb, since at 4.63 cubic feet it is over its one-cubic-foot threshold. Heavier than 58 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 20 × 20 × 20 in box at 15 lb, by service
ServiceDivisorDIM weightBilled atBills actual weight from
UPS Ground13958 lb58 lb58 lb
FedEx Ground13958 lb58 lb58 lb
USPS Ground Advantage13958 lb58 lb58 lb
DHL Express Worldwide13958 lb58 lb58 lb
Canada Post Regular Parcel6,00022 kg22 kg22 kg
Australia Post Parcel Post4,00033 kg33 kg33 kg
Air freight (IATA)6,00022 kg22 kg22 kg

Worked example

A 20 × 20 × 20 in box weighing 15 lb.

  1. 1UPS Ground: divisor 139, billed at 58 lb (DIM weight)
  2. 2USPS Ground Advantage: divisor 139, billed at 58 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 20 × 20 × 20 box?

58 lb on UPS and FedEx: 8,000 in³ ÷ 139 = 57.55, rounded up to the next pound. USPS charges the same 58 lb, since at 4.63 cubic feet it is over its one-cubic-foot threshold. Internationally it is 26.5 kg by express courier (÷ 5000) and 22 kg as air cargo (÷ 6000).

How heavy does a 20 × 20 × 20 box have to be to avoid DIM weight?

At least 58 lb on UPS and FedEx. Below that, you pay for 58 lb whatever the box weighs. At a typical 15 lb for large moving boxes, toys and seasonal décor, you are billed for 43 lb of air.

How much would a smaller box save over 20 × 20 × 20?

Taking 2 in off the height, to 20 × 20 × 18, cuts the UPS and FedEx DIM weight from 58 lb to 52 lb. At 15 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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