Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Measure the length and circumference of a regularly shaped (rectangular) mail package
• Method 2 of 3: Measuring irregularly shaped parcels
• Method 3 of 3: Determine the dimensional weight
• Tips
• Necessities

Regardless of which shipping service you choose (in addition to the weight), the costs of shipping will depend on the length, width and height of your postal package. It is therefore crucial that you know the dimensions of the postal package you want to send.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Measure the length and circumference of a regularly shaped (rectangular) mail package

1. Measure the longest side of the mail package. Determine which side of the mail package is the longest, then measure the full length of this side from one side to the other using a tape measure.
   • Round off the value found to the nearest centimeter.
   • This value is now the length of your parcel.
2. Measure the width of the mail package. The width of your parcel is the shorter side (viewed from the top or bottom). Measure the entire distance from this side, from one side to the other, using a tape measure.
   • Also round this reading to the nearest centimeter.
   • Even if you swap the height and width, the final calculation will still be correct. The only side that must measure absolutely accurately is the length.
3. Measure the height of the postal package. Use a tape measure to measure the standing side of the parcel from one side to the other. This is you height-measurement.
   • The height is the only side that has not yet been measured.
   • Round the readings to the centimeter.
4. Double the width and height. Multiply the width by two. Multiply the height by two as well.
   • None of these calculations have a separate term, but you will need them for the final calculation of the circumference.
   • You don't have to double the length.
   • For example: if you have a box with a length of 30.5 cm, a width of 10 cm and a height of 15.25 cm, you only double the width and the height:
     • Doubled width: 10 * 2 = 20 cm
     • Height doubled: 15.25 * 2 = 12 inches
5. Add the doubled measurements together. Add the doubled height and width. The sum is equal to the circumference of the parcel.
   • The circumference is basically the total distance around the thickest part of the mail package.
   • In the previous example, the doubled width was 20 cm and the doubled height was 30.5 cm. The sum of both, and thus the circumference, is:
     • Circumference: 8 + 12 = 50.5 cm
6. Add the length to the circumference. When sending a parcel, you may need to adjust the overall size of the parcel. You can find this by adding the length to the circumference.
   • In the previous example, the circumference of the mail package was 50.5 cm and the length was 30.5 cm. To determine the total size, you must add these measurements together:
     • Size: 50.5 + 30.5 = 81 cm.
7. Write down the final size. You now have all the dimensions required for sending your parcel. Make a note of each individual measurement so that you can provide the mail parcel service with the exact details.
   • You may be asked for:
     • the length, width and height (L; W; H)
     • the length and circumference (L; O)
     • the total size of the parcel (L + 2B + 2H)

Method 2 of 3: Measuring irregularly shaped parcels

1. Measure the longest side of the mail package. Determine which side of the mail package is the longest. Measure the longest side of the package. You use this as the length of the postal package.
   • Measure the longest distance from one end to the other with a tape measure. Only measure along the outer edge if it is the longest part. If the greatest length is somewhere between the outer edges of the mail package, you use those dimensions. # * Round the readings to the centimeter.
2. Determine the width of the mail package and then measure the widest part. Arrange the package so that its length is parallel to the table or floor. The other (shorter) side is the width.
   • Determine the greatest width. This can be one of the outer edges of the mail package, or it can be between the outer edges.
   • Measure the widest part of the mail package using a tape measure. Round this reading to the nearest centimeter.
3. Measure the highest part of the postal package. Determine the dimension of the side that has not yet been measured. It should be perpendicular to the floor or table. This side is the height of the postal package.
   • Look for the highest point of the parcel. Measure from this point to the floor or table on which the mail package rests. Do not measure along the outer edge of the height unless the outer edge is highest.
   • Use a tape measure and round to the centimeter.
4. Think of the postal package as a rectangular box. To determine the size of the box, use the same method you use to calculate the size of a rectangular box.
   • When asked for a separate length, width and height, just provide the measurements as you determined them.
   • When asked for measurements such as length and circumference, just provide the length as you measured it. For the circumference, double both the width and the length, and then add them together.
     • Example: length = 15 cm; width = 5 cm; height = 10 cm
     • Circumference = (2 * 5 cm) + (2 * 10 cm) = 10 cm + 20 cm = 30 cm
   • When asked about the overall dimensions of the package, add the circumference and length together.
     • Example: Circumference = 30 cm; length = 15 cm
     • Total size = 30 cm + 15 cm = 45 cm

Method 3 of 3: Determine the dimensional weight

1. Measure the length, width and height. Use a tape measure to measure all three sides of the package. Round these measurements to the nearest centimeter.
   • When measuring the volumetric weight, it does not matter which side you take as length, width or height. Just make sure you measure the sides properly.
   • Use a tape measure to measure each side. Record each measurement individually and round to the centimeter.
   • Note that calculating the volumetric weight is only meaningful within the imperial (English) system. This does not work with the metric system.
2. Calculate the volume. You calculate the volume of the parcel by multiplying the length by the width and height.
   • Example (in inches): If you want to send a parcel with a length of 12 inches, a width of 8 inches and a height of 4 inches, you calculate the volume by multiplying them:
     • Volume = 12 inches * 8 inches * 4 inches = 384 cubic inches
3. Divide the volume by 166. For shipments within the US or Puerto Rico, divide the parcel volume by 166. For international shipments, divide the volume by 139.
   • For a mail package with a volume of 384 cubic inches
     • Volume weight = 384 cubic inches / 166 = 2.31
     • International dimensional weight = 384 cubic inches / 139 = 2.76
4. Take the actual weight. Use a postal scale to measure the actual weight of the postal package in grams.
   • If you do not have a postal scale, have your parcel weighed at a parcel service point.
5. Compare the volumetric weight with the actual weight. If the dimensional weight is greater than the actual weight, the parcel service may charge more than the standard amount for a parcel of such dimensions.
   • Volume weight is only an estimate and not an exact measurement.
   • When a parcel is not too heavy in relation to the volume, the price for shipping will usually be based on the volume weight, the length, width and the volume. Exceptionally heavy parcels will be priced based on actual weight.

Tips

• Each shipping service has its own shipping rules (based on size and weight). Contact the shipping service you want to use to determine which shipping method you can use and how much shipping costs will be.

Necessities

• Something to measure with (ruler, ruler, tape measure)
• Postal scale (optional)