Understanding the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula

If you regularly ship packages through FedEx, you may have noticed that the cost of shipping doesn’t always depend solely on the actual weight of your package. Instead, FedEx also takes into account the package’s size and volume when calculating the shipping cost. This is known as dimensional weight pricing, and it can significantly affect the final cost of your shipment. In this article, we will take a closer look at the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula, how it works, and what you can do to optimize your packaging to reduce shipping costs.

What is the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula?

The FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula is a pricing technique that takes into account the size and volume of a package when calculating the shipping cost. It’s designed to ensure that the cost of shipping accurately reflects the amount of space that a package occupies on a truck or plane, rather than just its actual weight. The formula calculates the dimensional weight of a package based on its dimensions, and then compares it to the actual weight of the package. The higher of the two weights is then used to determine the shipping cost, which can often result in a higher price than using actual weight alone.

One of the benefits of using the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula is that it encourages shippers to use more efficient packaging. By using smaller boxes or packing items more tightly, shippers can reduce the dimensional weight of their packages and potentially save on shipping costs. Additionally, the formula helps to ensure that larger packages are not underpriced, which can lead to higher costs for the shipping company and ultimately for consumers.

It’s important to note that the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula is not unique to FedEx. Many other shipping companies, including UPS and DHL, also use similar formulas to calculate shipping costs. However, the specific calculations and pricing structures may vary between companies, so it’s important to check with each carrier to understand their specific policies and pricing.

Why does FedEx use dimensional weight pricing?

FedEx uses dimensional weight pricing to ensure that the cost of shipping reflects the space that a package takes up on a truck or plane. This is important because trucks and planes have limited space, and it’s more efficient to fill this space with packages that take up less room. By charging more for packages that are bigger in size, FedEx encourages shippers to optimize their packaging and reduce waste, which helps to save space and reduce overall shipping costs.

Another reason why FedEx uses dimensional weight pricing is to stay competitive in the shipping industry. Other carriers, such as UPS and DHL, also use this pricing method, and it has become an industry standard. By using the same pricing method, FedEx can remain competitive and offer similar pricing to its customers.

Additionally, dimensional weight pricing allows FedEx to accurately predict and plan for the amount of space needed on its trucks and planes. This helps to prevent overloading and ensures that packages are delivered on time. By using this pricing method, FedEx can also offer more accurate delivery estimates to its customers, which helps to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.

How is dimensional weight calculated?

The dimensional weight of a package is calculated by multiplying its length, width, and height (in inches) and then dividing the result by a dimensional weight divisor. The dimensional weight divisor is a number that varies based on the unit of measure used (such as pounds or kilograms) and is set by FedEx based on the density of the package. The formula for calculating dimensional weight is as follows:

Dimensional weight (lbs) = Length x Width x Height / Dimensional weight divisor

It is important to note that the dimensional weight is used by shipping companies to determine the cost of shipping a package. This is because a package that is large in size but light in weight takes up more space on a delivery truck or plane, which means that the shipping company is not able to transport as many packages at once. As a result, the shipping company charges more for packages with a high dimensional weight to compensate for the space they take up in transit.

What are the factors that affect dimensional weight?

The two main factors that affect dimensional weight are the size and density of the package. The larger the package, the higher its dimensional weight will be. Similarly, packages that are less dense (meaning they take up more space in relation to their weight) will also have a higher dimensional weight. For example, a large, lightweight package may have a higher dimensional weight than a smaller, heavier package with the same actual weight.

How to calculate dimensional weight for a package?

To calculate the dimensional weight of a package, you first need to measure its length, width, and height in inches. Then, use the following formula to calculate the dimensional weight:

Dimensional weight (lbs) = Length x Width x Height / Dimensional weight divisor

You can find the dimensional weight divisor for your package’s unit of measure on the FedEx website.

How to determine if your package will be charged by actual weight or dimensional weight?

FedEx will charge you based on either the actual weight or the dimensional weight of your package, whichever is higher. To determine which weight will be used to calculate the shipping cost, simply calculate both the actual weight and the dimensional weight of your package, and compare them. Whichever weight is higher will be used to determine the shipping cost.

Examples of how the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula works in practice

Let’s take a look at two examples to see how the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula works:

Example 1: A package weighs 10 lbs and measures 12″ x 12″ x 12″. The dimensional weight is calculated as follows:

12 x 12 x 12 / 166 (dimensional weight divisor for pounds) = 10.34 lbs (dimensional weight)

In this case, the dimensional weight is higher than the actual weight, so FedEx will charge based on the dimensional weight of 10.34 lbs.

Example 2: A package weighs 25 lbs and measures 24″ x 12″ x 12″. The dimensional weight is calculated as follows:

24 x 12 x 12 / 166 (dimensional weight divisor for pounds) = 20.48 lbs (dimensional weight)

In this case, the actual weight (25 lbs) is higher than the dimensional weight, so FedEx will charge based on the actual weight of 25 lbs.

Tips for reducing your shipping costs using the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula

Here are some tips for reducing your shipping costs when using the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula:

• Use smaller boxes whenever possible to reduce dimensional weight.
• Consider removing excess packaging materials, such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts, to reduce the package’s size and weight.
• Choose lightweight materials for packaging, such as cardboard or paper, to reduce the package’s overall weight.
• Use custom packaging solutions that are tailored to the size and shape of your product, which can help to reduce wasted space and lower shipping costs.

Understanding the difference between actual weight and dimensional weight

The actual weight of a package is simply its weight in pounds or kilograms. The dimensional weight of a package, on the other hand, takes into account the package’s size and volume to determine the amount of space it occupies during shipping. It’s important to understand the difference between the two weights, as the shipping cost will be based on whichever weight is higher for your package.

How to optimize your packaging to reduce dimensional weight charges

To optimize your packaging and reduce dimensional weight charges, consider the following tips:

• Choose a box that is just the right size for your product to minimize wasted space.
• Use packaging materials that are lightweight, such as paper or cardboard, to reduce the overall weight of the package.
• Avoid using oversized packaging materials, as this can increase the overall size of the package and lead to higher dimensional weight charges.
• Use packing materials that are designed to compress during shipping to minimize the package’s overall size.
• Consider using custom packaging solutions that are tailored to your product’s size and shape.

Frequently asked questions about the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula:

• What is the dimensional weight divisor for pounds?
  The dimensional weight divisor for pounds is 166.
• What is the dimensional weight divisor for kilograms?
  The dimensional weight divisor for kilograms is 139.
• How can I calculate the dimensional weight of my package?
  To calculate the dimensional weight of your package, measure its length, width, and height in inches and use the following formula: Dimensional weight (lbs) = Length x Width x Height / Dimensional weight divisor (for pounds) or Dimensional weight (kg) = Length x Width x Height / Dimensional weight divisor (for kilograms).
• What is the best way to reduce dimensional weight charges?
  To reduce dimensional weight charges, use smaller boxes, lightweight packaging materials, and custom packaging solutions that are tailored to your product’s size and shape.

Comparing dimensional weight pricing between different shipping carriers

It’s worth noting that different shipping carriers may use different dimensional weight formulas or dimensional weight divisors, which can affect the final shipping cost of your package. Therefore, it’s a good idea to compare shipping rates between different carriers and calculate the dimensional weight of your package to ensure that you’re getting the best possible shipping rate.

How to negotiate better shipping rates with FedEx based on your package’s dimensions and weight

If you regularly ship large or bulky items through FedEx, it may be worth negotiating better shipping rates based on your package’s dimensions and weight. You can do this by contacting your FedEx account manager and providing them with information about your shipping volume, package size, and weight. By demonstrating that you’re a high-volume shipper and taking steps to optimize your packaging, you may be able to negotiate lower shipping rates that reflect the true cost of your shipments.

Upcoming changes in the FedEx Dimensional Weight Formula – what you need to know

Finally, it’s worth noting that FedEx has announced upcoming changes to its dimensional weight formula that will take effect on June 21, 2021. Under the new formula, the dimensional weight divisor for domestic packages will be reduced from 166 to 139, which means that packages will need to be more dense (less space in relation to their weight) to avoid dimensional weight charges. If you’re a regular shipper with FedEx, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with these forthcoming changes and taking steps to optimize your packaging accordingly.