Direct freight answer · reviewed August 2026
Should I use actual weight or dimensional weight for shipping?
Compare scale weight and cube weight per parcel and identify the packaging change that can actually lower a billable result.
Short answer
Use both. Actual weight comes from the packed parcel on a scale; dimensional weight comes from finished outside cube divided by the service divisor. The service rule commonly starts with the larger eligible result, then applies its rounding and minimums.
Run the numbers
Compare Actual vs Dimensional Weight
Start with the prefilled example, then replace it with your finished package, pallet, or cargo lines.
Your inputs
Live resultAdd parcel count, divisor or roundingOptional
5,000 cm³/kg
A defensible workflow
Check these four things before you trust the result.
- Record actual packed weight and outside dimensions for every package type.
- Calculate dimensional weight with the exact service divisor and units.
- Find the break-even cube where dimensional weight equals scale weight.
- Test a smaller package only if damage, labour, and material costs remain acceptable.