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What Is Dimensional Weight?
As the shipping industry changes, it’s more important now than ever to understand dimensional weight.
Changes to Shipping Practices
Dimensional weighing is a method of determining shipping prices based on a package’s volume, not just weight. Previously, dimensional weight was only for air freight, but now it impacts all commercial shipping sectors.
As of July 2025, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) changed standards for freight classification. These changes make dimensioning the primary calculation for shipping costs, while factors such as liability, handling, stowability and density are secondary. Due to the NMFTA’s changes, shippers must rely on dimensional weight.
The Importance of Dimensional Weight
A carrier’s truck is often filled due to space restrictions rather than weight capacity. One primary reason is that shippers overuse packing materials and create boxes with empty space.
For example, a company ships 100-count containers of ping-pong balls in a two-foot cube box. The packages contain an added two inches of packing peanuts inside, cradling the containers on all sides. Chances are this two-foot square box is pretty light, but it still takes up quite a bit of space for the actual contents inside. The company will be charged a higher rate for the box’s dimensional weight rather than relying on actual weight.
Dimensional weight isn’t about increasing prices for shippers; it’s about encouraging best shipping practices and maximizing a carrier’s capacity. Companies can modify shipping practices to reduce charges if parcel or freight sizes significantly impact prices. By shipping smarter, shippers can adapt to dimensional weighing.
Shipping Best Practices
Remember, dimensional weighing is all about volume. Items may have a larger volume ratio than weight, and shippers will need to use dimensional weight prices. Volume now has a big impact, and being aware helps shippers find the best solution.
Rice Lake Weighing Systems’ Dimensioning Solutions
Calculating dimensional weight by hand is tedious and prone to human error, which is why Rice Lake offers the iDimension® Series, featuring dimensioning solutions that perform calculations in seconds. Reliable, efficient dimensioners can calculate weights for every package, regardless of shape or size. Upgrade your shipping facility and ensure accurate dimensions, every time. If you’re struggling to understand dimensional weight, learn how to calculate it and ensure accurate results.
Related Products
Related Products
iDimension® LTL/LTL XL Pallet Dimensioning System
The iDimension LTL optimizes dimensional shipping and enhances quality assurance verification in loading bays, warehouses, and shipping and receiving departments.
iDimension® Plus Parcel Static Dimensioning System
When calculating the dimensions of boxes, flats, polybags and more, Rice Lake's iDimension Plus is the fastest static tabletop solution on the market.
