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FedEx vs USPS Dimensional Weight Calculator

FedEx Ground against USPS on your box: the one-cubic-foot line where USPS stops charging DIM, the shared 139 divisor above it, and the surcharges each adds.

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.

Both bill22 lbThe same billable weight, so the rate card decides.
FedEx Ground
22 lb
Divisor 139 · 14 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage
22 lb
Divisor 139 · 14 lb over actual weight · DIM weight

Cut the height to 4 in or less and FedEx bills actual weight.

Cut the height to 6 in or less and USPS Ground 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÷ 13922 lb
  2. 2FedEx Ground÷ 13922 lb
  3. 3USPS Ground Advantage÷ 13922 lb
  4. 4USPS Priority Mail÷ 13922 lb
Service by service, in each one's billing unit
ServiceDivisorDIM weightActualBillable, shipmentBilled on
FedEx Ground13922 lb8 lb22 lbDIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage13922 lb8 lb22 lbDIM weight
UPS Ground13922 lb8 lb22 lbDIM weight
USPS Priority Mail13922 lb8 lb22 lbDIM weight

How do carriers calculate dimensional weight?

FedEx charges dimensional weight on every package; USPS only on parcels over one cubic foot. Above that line both round each side up and divide by 139, so they bill the same weight. Small, light boxes are where USPS takes the smaller DIM penalty.

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 × 12 in box weighing 5 lb
ServiceDivisorDIM weightBilled atBills actual weight from
UPS Ground13913 lb13 lb13 lb
FedEx Ground13913 lb13 lb13 lb
USPS Ground Advantage13913 lb (exempt)5 lbAny weight
USPS Priority Mail13913 lb (exempt)5 lbAny weight

Worked example

A 12 × 12 × 12 in box weighing 5 lb.

  1. 1FedEx Ground: divisor 139, billed at 13 lb (DIM weight)
  2. 2USPS Ground Advantage: divisor 139, billed at 5 lb (actual weight)

USPS Ground Advantage bills it lighter, so it takes the smaller DIM penalty.

Frequently asked questions

Which surcharges differ between FedEx and USPS?

FedEx adds Additional Handling (40 lb minimum) for parcels over 48 in long or 105 in length plus girth, and Oversize (90 lb minimum) above 130 in. USPS instead charges nonstandard fees for parcels over 22 in, 30 in or two cubic feet, and does not accept parcels over 70 lb or 130 in length plus girth.

Does FedEx or USPS Ground bill a 12 × 12 × 12 in box lighter?

A 12 × 12 × 12 in box weighing 5 lb bills 13 lb (DIM weight) with FedEx Ground and 5 lb (actual weight) with USPS Ground Advantage. USPS Ground Advantage charges the lighter weight, so on equal rates it costs less. Try your own box in the calculator above.

Sources

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