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How To Measure And Weigh Your Parcel

Unsure about your parcel’s weight or size, and don’t have scales or a tape measure to hand? Don’t worry, our guide below makes it easy.

We’ve shown the sizes and weights of everyday home and office objects, so you can compare them against the parcel you’re measuring.

Alternatively, you can send your parcel via your local DHL Express Service Point where you don’t need to measure a thing and free envelopes and boxes are supplied!

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DHL WEIGHT AND SIZE COMPARISON GUIDE

Weight comparison to 1 litre of water
1 litre of water
weighs 1kg

(or 1000g)

(or 2.2lb)
Weight comparison to 1 tin of baked beans
1 tin of baked beans
weighs 450g

(or 0.45kg)

(or 1lb)
Weight comparison to a CD case
A CD case
140mm wide x 124mm high

(or 14cm x 12.4cm)

(or 5.5in x 4.9in*)
Weight comparison to an A4 pad of paper
An A4 pad of paper
210mm wide and 297mm high

(or 21cm x 29.7cm)

(or 8in x 12in*)

* measurement figure has been rounded up

 

HOW TO MEASURE VOLUMETRIC WEIGHT

If your parcel is large in size and light in weight, the delivery price may be calculated by the parcel's volumetric weight rather than its actual weight. This is standard practice in the shipping industry. To calculate the volumetric weight, use the formula below:

 

 

How to measure volumetric weight
Length x width height (cm) / 5000 = Weight (Kg)

 

 

Parcel weight is rounded up to the nearest half kilo. The greater of the two weights will be used for the parcel delivery cost.

 
 
Drop off your parcel at your local DHL Service Point

DON'T WANT TO MEASURE ANYTHING?

If you don't want the hassle of measuring and weighing parcels, why not drop off your parcel at your local DHL Express Service Point? Free envelopes and boxes in various sizes are available for you to choose from. It's that easy!
 
 
Get a quote using DHLitNow
GET A QUOTE
You can drop your parcel off at your nearest DHL Express Service Point, book a courier parcel collection online or over the phone.
 
 
 
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

We will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Please call us on:

0844 248 0828

Our opening hours are 07:30 - 20:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 - 14:00 on Saturday.

* Calls to DHL UK phone numbers beginning ‘084’ cost 7 pence per minute, plus your phone company's access charge.