Volumetric weight and chargeable weight
Your price is based on chargeable weight: the actual weight or the volumetric weight of each item, whichever is greater. Here is how to work it out, with examples and a calculator.
How chargeable weight works
For each item in your consignment:
- Measure the length, width and height in cm.
- Multiply them together and divide by 5000. That's the volumetric weight in kg.
- Compare it with the actual weight of the packed item.
- Whichever is greater is the chargeable weight, rounded up to the next whole kg.
Dividing by 5000 is the same as counting every cubic metre as 200kg. That's lower than the 220kg per cubic metre the previous Tuffnells business used, so a bulky, light item counts for a little less.
Worked examples
| Item | Size (cm) | Actual | Volumetric | Chargeable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carton of stock | 60 x 50 x 40 | 8kg | 24kg | 24kg |
| Poster tube | 200 x 20 x 20 | 6kg | 16kg | 16kg |
| Small box of parts | 40 x 30 x 20 | 5kg | 4.8kg | 5kg |
| Wooden table top | 250 x 120 x 8 | 58kg | 48kg | 58kg |
The carton and the tube are light for their size, so they're priced on volumetric weight. The small box and the table top are heavy for their size, so they're priced on actual weight.
Volumetric weight calculator
Enter one item's size and packed weight to see its chargeable weight.
- Volumetric weight
- -
- Actual weight
- -
- Chargeable weight
- -
Rounded up to the next whole kg.
Enter the length, width and height in cm and the packed weight in kg.
Tubes, cylinders and odd shapes
- Tubes and cylinders: measure the length, then the diameter, and enter the diameter as both the width and the height. A tube 2m long and 15cm across is 200 x 15 x 15.
- Irregular items: measure the smallest box the item would fit in, and use those sizes.
- Measure each side at its widest point, including the packaging and any handles.
How it feeds your price
Each consignment is priced on its own, on the chargeable weight of its items, their size and the journey. Fuel is included, so there is no separate fuel surcharge, and you see the full price before you book.
If an item turns out bigger or heavier than declared, the consignment is re-rated at the actual size and weight.
Common questions
Volumetric weight, also called dimensional weight, is a weight worked out from an item's size: length x width x height in cm, divided by 5000. It means a large, light item is priced on the space it takes up in the van.
The weight your price is based on: the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight, worked out for each item.
Measure the length, then the diameter. Enter the diameter as both the width and the height, so a tube 2m long and 15cm across is 200 x 15 x 15cm.
Measure the smallest box it would fit inside and use those sizes.
If an item turns out bigger or heavier than declared, the consignment is re-rated at the actual size and weight. Measuring each side at its widest point avoids that.