Volumetric Weight: get carrier rates or calculate own rates based on dim weight
Overview
With this feature you may request real-time carrier rates or calculate your own rates based on the pre-calculated Volumetric Weight. Cart's Volumetric Weight will be compared with the Cart's regular weight. The higher value will be used for shipping rates calculation.
There are 3 Volumetric Weight calculation methods available:
- Separate Dimensions Method. Height * Width * Length = Volume. Volumetric Weight = Volume / DIM Factor.
- Volume Method. Volumetric Weight = Volume / DIM Factor.
- Volumetric Weight Method. Volumetric Weight = Volumetric Weight.
Volumetric Weight is available for the following shipping option types only: Table Rates, Carriers
Volumetric Weight: Popular Scenarios
Check some popular scenarios perfectly solved with Volumetric Weight:
- Calculate Volumetric Weight for getting Carrier Rates
- Calculate Volumetric Weight and apply it to Table Rates
Volumetric Weight: Configuration Steps
Before you start:
Product dimensions, volume or a pre-calculated volumetric weight (depending on the selected method) must be set in your store admin.
- Shopify: use Decimal, Integer or Dimension metafields
- Magento: use decimal or integer product attributes
- WooCommerce: use decimal or integer product parameters
Step 1: Complete the Volumetric Weight mapping for your store
Step 2: Apply Volumetric Weight in your Shipping Option
After you finish: check the shipping method's Volumetric Weight status in the Activity Feed while testing.
If you see "true" next to the Volumetric Weight, then Volumetric Weight has been applied.
If you see "false", then the Regular Weight has been applied.
Step 1: Complete Volumetric Weight Mapping Settings
In the Volumetric Weight section, select your store. You will see 3 methods for Volumetric Weight calculation and attribute fields for each of them. Set up only the methods you need.
According to the chosen method, Calcurates will use your attribute values of the products in the Cart to calculate Volumetric Weight.
Make sure your Website is synced with Calcurates before you assign attributes to the method. If an attribute or metafield is missing from the list, click "Sync your store".
Shopify: use Decimal, Integer or Dimension metafields (Shopify admin > Settings > Custom data)
Magento: use decimal or integer product attributes
WooCommerce: use decimal or integer product parameters
Complete mapping settings for each Website.
Separate Dimensions Method
This method requires separate attributes for product dimension values, one for each dimension: Height, Width and Length.
Formula:
- Volume = H * W * L
- Volumetric Weight = Volume / DIM Factor
Volume Method
This method requires a single attribute for product volume values.
Formula: Volumetric Weight = Volume / DIM Factor
Volumetric Weight Method
This method requires a single attribute that already holds the product volumetric weight.
Formula: Volumetric Weight = Volumetric Weight (from the attribute)
Step 2: Apply Volumetric Weight in your Shipping Option
Carrier Shipping Option
Open the option > Basic tab > Packaging and select Single package for the order with weight only or Separate packages per item with weight only. Then:
- Switch on Apply Volumetric Weight. Rates use the volumetric or actual weight, whichever is greater.
- Select the Volumetric Calculation Method (Separate dimensions, Volume or Volumetric weight).
- Enter the DIM Factor (not needed for the Volumetric weight method). It varies by carrier; see the table below.
Single package for the order:
Separate packages per item:
Table Rates
Open the Table Rates method > Basic tab > Dimensional Shipping. Switch it on, select Volumetric Weight and choose the Volumetric Calculation Method.
In both cases the method must be mapped in Step 1, otherwise you'll see "Volumetric Weight Mapping is required". Click Check mapping settings to open the mapping.
You're all set!
Carrier Dimensional (DIM) Factor
The DIM Factor is used to determine the dimensional weight of an object. This equation is standard within the shipping industry. DIM Factor represents the volume of a shipment allowed per unit of weight. Learn more about the DIM factor.
The DIM Factor varies from carrier to carrier. These are DIM Factors of major carriers:
| Carrier | DIM Factor: KG | DIM Factor: LB | Sources |
| FedEx | 5000 | 139 | Source |
| UPS |
5000 (Daily Rates)
6000 (Retail Rates)
|
139 (Daily Rates)
166 (Retail Rates)
|
Source |
| USPS | 6000 | 166 | Source |
| DHL | 5000 | 166 | |
| Canada Post |
5000 (Priority™, Xpresspost™, Expedited services™, All U.S. and International services (excluding Tracked Packet™ and Small Packet™))
6000 (Regular Parcel™ service)
|
139 (Priority™, Xpresspost™, Expedited services™, All U.S. and International services (excluding Tracked Packet™ and Small Packet™))
166 (Regular Parcel™ service)
|
Source |
Also check our Dimensional Weight Calculator
Volumetric Weight Behaviour
- Volumetric Weight will be calculated for your Shipping Option according to the selected calculation method and mapped product attributes / metafields.
- Calculated cart's Volumetric Weight will be applied for the rate calculation if it is greater than the cart's Regular Weight. Otherwise the cart's regular Weight will be applied.
- Cart's Regular Weight will be applied if attributes (metafields) are not selected or attribute (metafield) values for the product are missing.