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Field note4 min read

How to Calculate Package Volume

Volume is the three-dimensional space a package occupies, before any carrier-specific weight rule is applied.

Rectangular package formula

Use three dimensions in the same unit. A 20 × 12 × 8 inch package occupies 1,920 cubic inches. The calculation is identical for centimeters, but the result is cubic centimeters.

FORMULA
Volume = Length × Width × Height

Useful volume conversions

Starting unitConversion
Cubic inchesDivide by 1,728 for ft³
Cubic centimetersDivide by 1,000 for liters
Cubic centimetersDivide by 1,000,000 for m³
Cubic feetMultiply by 0.0283168 for m³

Volume is not automatically billable weight

Package volume is geometry. Dimensional or volumetric weight applies a divisor or density factor to that volume. Freight density also includes weight, so use the volume result as one input rather than a final rating decision.