UPS vs FedEx Dimensional Weight Calculator

UPS and FedEx side by side on your box: divisor, rounding, surcharge minimums and billable weight, plus where USPS would come in.

Updated September 29, 2026 · By Niraj Kumar · 8 sources

Box

Measured in

in / lb

cm / kg

Standard box

Length

Width

Height

Measure the packed box at its widest points, bulges included. UPS, FedEx and USPS round every fractional inch up.

Actual weight, per box

Boxes in the shipment

Parcels are rated box by box; freight on the whole shipment.

Both bill22 lbThe same billable weight, so the rate card decides.

UPS Ground: 22 lb; Divisor 139 · 14 lb over actual weight · DIM weight
FedEx Ground: 22 lb; Divisor 139 · 14 lb over actual weight · DIM weight

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

Cut the height to 4 in or less and FedEx 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.

1UPS Ground÷ 13922 lb
2FedEx Ground÷ 13922 lb
3USPS Ground Advantage÷ 13922 lb
4USPS Priority Mail÷ 13922 lb

Service by service, in each one's billing unit
Service	Divisor	DIM weight	Actual	Billable, shipment	Billed on
UPS Ground	139	22 lb	8 lb	22 lb	DIM weight
FedEx Ground	139	22 lb	8 lb	22 lb	DIM weight
USPS Ground Advantage	139	22 lb	8 lb	22 lb	DIM weight
USPS Priority Mail	139	22 lb	8 lb	22 lb	DIM weight

How do carriers calculate dimensional weight?

On published rates, UPS and FedEx calculate dimensional weight identically in 2026: both round each fractional inch up, divide by 139 and bill whole pounds, with the same 40 lb and 90 lb minimums for oversized parcels. Which is cheaper depends on your rates and any negotiated divisor.

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 × 14 × 12 in box weighing 8 lb
Service	Divisor	DIM weight	Billed at	Bills actual weight from
UPS Ground	139	22 lb	22 lb	22 lb
FedEx Ground	139	22 lb	22 lb	22 lb
USPS Ground Advantage	139	22 lb	22 lb	22 lb
USPS Priority Mail	139	22 lb	22 lb	22 lb

Worked example

An 18 × 14 × 12 in box weighing 8 lb.

1UPS Ground: divisor 139, billed at 22 lb (DIM weight)
2FedEx Ground: divisor 139, billed at 22 lb (DIM weight)

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

Frequently asked questions

Does UPS or FedEx have a better DIM divisor?

Neither on published rates: both use 139 for daily and retail rates, domestic and international in pounds, and 5000 in centimetres. The difference shows up in contracts, where either may agree to 166, 194 or higher for a large shipper. Ask both for a divisor concession when you negotiate.

Does UPS or FedEx bill an 18 × 14 × 12 in box lighter?

An 18 × 14 × 12 in box weighing 8 lb bills 22 lb (DIM weight) with UPS Ground and 22 lb (DIM weight) with FedEx Ground. The billable weight is the same, so the rate card and surcharges decide which is cheaper. Try your own box in the calculator above.

Sources

UPS, How to determine billable weight · checked September 29, 2026
FedEx, Dimensional weight · checked September 29, 2026
FedEx, 2026 surcharge and fee changes · checked September 29, 2026
USPS, Domestic Mail Manual: dimensional weight · checked September 29, 2026
DHL, How to calculate volumetric weight · checked September 29, 2026
Parcelforce Worldwide, How to measure a parcel for international delivery · checked September 29, 2026
Canada Post, How to cube an item and calculate its volumetric equivalent · checked September 29, 2026
Australia Post, What is cubic weight · checked September 29, 2026