Carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS often bill your shipment on dimensional weight, not what the package actually weighs. Enter your box size and weight below to see the billable weight you are really paying for, then see how a right sized custom box lowers it.
What is dimensional weight?
Dimensional weight, also called DIM weight or volumetric weight, is how carriers stop a big, light box from shipping at the price of a small one. They divide your box volume (length x width x height) by a set number, 139 for UPS and FedEx domestic and 166 for USPS, then bill whichever is higher: that dimensional weight or the actual scale weight. The takeaway is simple. If your box is bigger than it needs to be, you are paying to ship air on every order. A box built to your product’s real size lowers the DIM weight and the bill.
Standard box size chart
| Box style | Common sizes (L x W x H, inches) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mailer boxes | 6x4x2, 8x6x2, 9x6x3, 10x7x3, 12x9x4, 14x10x4 | Apparel, cosmetics, subscription, DTC unboxing |
| Corrugated shippers | 8x8x8, 10x10x10, 12x12x12, 14x14x14, 16x12x8, 18x18x16 | Multi item orders, fragile goods, bulk shipping |
| Rigid / gift boxes | 7x7x2, 8x8x3, 9x9x2, 10x10x3 | Jewelry, luxury, premium unboxing |
| Product / tuck boxes | 3x3x5, 4x4x6, 2x2x4, custom | Candles, supplements, small retail items |
These are common stock sizes. We build to your exact dimensions with no minimum order, so you are not forced into an oversized box.
Frequently asked questions
How do I lower my dimensional weight?
Ship in a box sized to your product. Every inch of empty space adds billable weight. Because we have no minimum order, you can right size your box even on a small run instead of buying a case of oversized stock boxes.
Which divisor should I use?
UPS and FedEx use 139 for domestic US shipments and USPS uses 166. Your own carrier contract can differ, so confirm the divisor on your rate agreement.
Do small businesses really get charged dimensional weight?
Yes. Major carriers apply dimensional weight to nearly all ground and air packages now, not just large freight, so a right sized box saves money on every order regardless of your volume.
Can you make a box to my exact size?
Yes. We make custom mailer boxes, corrugated shippers, and rigid boxes to your exact dimensions with no minimum order. Request a free quote and we will size it to your product.
Learn more: custom packaging buyer checklist and custom vs stock packaging.