Billable Weight | noun | / bil-uh-buh l wāt / - The greater of the actual scale weight or the dimensional weight of the package being shipped.
Dimensional Weight | noun | / dih-men-shun-al wāt / - A pricing technique used by all shipping carriers to calculate weight based on size rather than the actual scale weight.
We try to shelter LugLess users from the nitty gritty details of shipping but if you must know, shipping is kind of hard. Since all carriers price based on both weight and size, we must as well. Most people just use our bag calculator, but if you like math then you can find the greater of the following three calculations to determine the billable weight of your package:
1. Actual scale Weight
Just as it sounds, you simply use a scale to determine the weight of your luggage, box, skis, golf clubs, etc.
2. Dimensional weight
Use the following calculation to determine the dimensional weight
- Determine the luggage dimensions in inches. For each dimension, measure at the longest point, rounding each measurement up to the next whole number (for example, 10.5 will be rounded to 11).
- Multiply the package length x width x height and divide by 139.
- The result is the dimensional weight.
3. Large package
A package is considered a "Large Package" when its length plus girth [(2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined exceeds 130 inches / 330 centimeters. Large Packages are subject to a minimum billable weight of 90 pounds.
Keep your Dimensional Weight in Check!
The easiest way to avoid dimensional weight adjustments and Large Package fees is to ship a corrugated cardboard box. Carriers use lasers to automatically measure packages in their network. If you prefer to ship your luggage naked, please remove or restrain all straps and handles that could cause your luggage to appear larger than it really is.
Still not sure how to calulcate your billable weight? Check out our video below!