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24 × 18 × 12 Box Dimensional Weight

Billable weight for a 24 × 18 × 12 in box, a common size for wholesale cartons and small flat-pack furniture, 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 same38 lbBilled 38 lb for 15 lb of actual weight
UPS Ground
38 lb
23 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
FedEx Ground
38 lb
23 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage
38 lb
23 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
USPS Priority Mail
38 lb
23 lb over actual weight · DIM weight

Cut the height to 4 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÷ 13938 lb
  2. 2FedEx Ground÷ 13938 lb
  3. 3USPS Ground Advantage÷ 13938 lbUSPS nonstandard fee: longer than 22 in
  4. 4USPS Priority Mail÷ 13938 lbUSPS nonstandard fee: longer than 22 in
Service by service, in each one's billing unit
ServiceDivisorDIM weightActualBillable, shipmentBilled on
UPS Ground13938 lb15 lb38 lbDIM weight
FedEx Ground13938 lb15 lb38 lbDIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage13938 lb15 lb38 lbDIM weight · USPS nonstandard fee: longer than 22 in · USPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet
USPS Priority Mail13938 lb15 lb38 lbDIM weight · USPS nonstandard fee: longer than 22 in · USPS nonstandard fee: over 2 cubic feet

How is the 24 × 18 × 12 in box's DIM weight calculated?

A 24 × 18 × 12 in box is 5,184 cubic inches, so UPS and FedEx bill it at no less than 38 lb. USPS charges the same 38 lb, since at 3.00 cubic feet it is over its one-cubic-foot threshold. Heavier than 38 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 24 × 18 × 12 in box at 15 lb, by service
ServiceDivisorDIM weightBilled atBills actual weight from
UPS Ground13938 lb38 lb38 lb
FedEx Ground13938 lb38 lb38 lb
USPS Ground Advantage13938 lb38 lb38 lb
DHL Express Worldwide13938 lb38 lb38 lb
Canada Post Regular Parcel6,00014.5 kg14.5 kg14.5 kg
Australia Post Parcel Post4,00021.5 kg21.5 kg21.5 kg
Air freight (IATA)6,00014.5 kg14.5 kg14.5 kg

Worked example

A 24 × 18 × 12 in box weighing 15 lb.

  1. 1UPS Ground: divisor 139, billed at 38 lb (DIM weight)
  2. 2USPS Ground Advantage: divisor 139, billed at 38 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 24 × 18 × 12 box?

38 lb on UPS and FedEx: 5,184 in³ ÷ 139 = 37.29, rounded up to the next pound. USPS charges the same 38 lb, since at 3.00 cubic feet it is over its one-cubic-foot threshold. Internationally it is 17 kg by express courier (÷ 5000) and 14.5 kg as air cargo (÷ 6000).

How heavy does a 24 × 18 × 12 box have to be to avoid DIM weight?

At least 38 lb on UPS and FedEx. Below that, you pay for 38 lb whatever the box weighs. At a typical 15 lb for wholesale cartons and small flat-pack furniture, you are billed for 23 lb of air.

How much would a smaller box save over 24 × 18 × 12?

Taking 2 in off the height, to 24 × 18 × 10, cuts the UPS and FedEx DIM weight from 38 lb to 32 lb. At 15 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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