Dimensional weight, nicknamed DIM weight, is an alternate formula used by couriers to determine an item’s shipping cost. Also known as “volumetric weight,” DIM weight accounts for how much physical space your package occupies rather than merely its weight on the scale. If you've shipped items at any point since 2015, you know DIM weight — and its potential to drive up shipping costs — all too well. That’s especially the case if you have a light item in a large box, as couriers calculate both traditional weight and DIM weight, then charge you based on the higher figure.
The introduction of DIM weight has transformed how both B2B and B2C companies think about packaging. Not paying attention to a package’s size in relation to the product inside can drive up shipping costs significantly, even if the package is fairly light when placed on the scale. Although it may seem like a purely cost-driven consideration, optimizing your package’s DIM weight also has an impact on sustainability. And in a landscape where sustainability matters to more consumers, retail partners, C-suites and government bodies than ever before, any measure that enhances cost savings and environmental impact is a major win.
Read on for our quick guide to all things DIM weight, including how to calculate it, how it impacts your packaging sustainability and how to optimize it through savvy engineering and automation solutions. (Hint: To maximize your savings even further, let an expert partner handle that last part.)