Girth calculator
Each package has a permissible girth and should be calculated before shipping.
Result belt dimension in cm:
Calculating girth – simply explained
The girth is an important indicator when shipping parcels. It indicates how large a parcel is and whether it meets the specifications of the respective parcel service.
The belt size is calculated from the length, width and height of the package in cm.
The girth is used by all major parcel services (e.g. DHL, Hermes, UPS, GLS, DPD) to determine the maximum parcel size.
Use our online girth calculator to quickly and reliably check whether your parcel meets the specifications. This saves time and avoids unnecessary additional costs.
Girth overview
Why is the girth important?
The belt size ensures that a parcel can be easily processed in the parcel center and during transport.
The outer dimensions of the packaging must not exceed the girth, weight or volume of the respective transport company.
Parcels that are too large incur additional handling costs and may not be able to be transported at all.
For DHL Express you have to calculate the volume weight.
Maximum girth for parcel services
- DHL up to 360 cm
- Hermes up to 300 cm
- UPS up to 400 cm
- GLS up to 300 cm
- DPD up to 300 cm
Please note: If the permitted girth is exceeded, higher prices or bulky goods regulations apply.
Girth DHL
The DHL belt dimension is max. 360 cm.
DHL package dimensions:
DHL package max. long side 120 x 60 x 60 cm
Otherwise send as bulky goods with surcharge (up to max. 200 cm length, 360 cm circumference and max. 31.5 kg).
Roll shape: Diameter max. 60 cm
Weight max. 31,5 kg, otherwise DHL Express up to 300 kg.
Package sizes:
Package S until 2 kg, max. 35 cm x 25 cm x 10 cm
Package M until 2 kg, max. 35 cm x 25 cm x 10 cm
Package 5-31,5 kg max. 120 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm
Girth DHL Express
The DHL Express belt size is max. 440 cm.
DHL Express parcel dimensions:
DHL Express parcels max. 120 x 80 x 80 cm, longest side 300 cm.
Price per weight: The higher weight is used for the calculation. Either the volume weight or the actual weight
Weight max. 30 kg, from 70 kg pallet – 1000 kg, max. 10 packages/pallets. For DHL ValuePack Service max. 12 kg and 1 package.
Package sizes:
DHL Express 9:00/10:30 a.m:
120 x 80 x 80 cm, packages each max. 30 kg total 300 kg, max. 10 packages
DHL Express 12:00 noon:
120 x 80 x 80 cm, packages each max. 70 kg total 300 kg, max. 10 packages
DHL Express Worldwide:
120 x 80 x 80 cm, packages each max. 70 kg total 300 kg, max. 10 packages or 300 x 200 x 160 cm 1000 kg per pallet total 3000 kg, max. 10 pallets
DHL Express Envelope:
35 x 27.5 x 1 cm Duty-free documents up to 300 g, max. 1 envelope per consignment
DHL Economy Select:
120 x 80 x 80 cm, packages each max. 70 kg total 1000 kg or 300 x 200 x 160 cm 1000 kg per pallet total 1000 kg, max. 10 pallets
DPD girth
The DPD belt dimension is max. 300 cm.
DPD Package dimensions:
Long side max. 175 cm – international Express 120 cm, wide max. 60 cm and a max. Height from 60 cm until max. 31,5 kg.
Pickup Package store: Girth dimension max. 250 cm until 20 kg and max. Length 100 cm.
From home: Girth dimension max. 300 cm until 31,5 kg and max. Length 175 cm.
For packages with volume over 150 liters, a surcharge will be charged.
Package sizes:
Paket XS longest + shortest side max. 35 cm
Package S longest + shortest side max. 50 cm
Package M longest + shortest side max. 70 cm
Package L longest + shortest side max. 90 cm
Package XL Girth max. 300 cm
UPS girth
The UPS belt dimension is max. 400 cm.
UPS package measure:
Longest side max. 274 cm.
Package max. until 70 kg.
Unconditional marking on the package if over 31,5 kg (EU 25 kg).
Hermes girth
The belt dimension at Hermes is max. 300 cm.
Hermes Package dimensions:
Weight max. 25 kg at XL and XXL max. 31,5 kg.
Package sizes:
Package HP longest + shortest side max. 37 cm
Package S longest + shortest side max. 50 cm
Package M longest + shortest side max. 80 cm
Package L longest + shortest side max. 120 cm
Package XL longest + shortest side max. 150 cm (cooling only)
Package XXL longest + shortest side max. 200 cm (collection only)
Girth GLS
The belt dimension at GLS is max. 300 cm.
GLS Package dimensions:
Longest side max. 200 cm – wide max. 80 cm – height max. 60 cm.
Pay attention, if each side of the package is the maximum, the belt dimension is exceeded at GLS.
Package max. until 40 kg.
Package sizes:
Paket XS longest + shortest side max. 35 cm
Package S longest + shortest side max. 50 cm
Package M longest + shortest side max. 70 cm
Package L longest + shortest side max. 90 cm
Package XL Circumference + shortest side max. 300 cm
Data published on 04.10.2023 | Information without guarantee
Calculate volume weight
DHL Express is thus adhering to the current aircraft design, in which the dimensional (DIM) weight of each shipment is calculated for effective utilization of the cargo space.
This is because the cost of a shipment can be influenced by the space it takes up in an aircraft and not just by its actual weight.
You can use the following calculator to calculate the volume weight for UPS, DPD and DHL Express, for example.
Calculate volume weight
Result Volume weight in kg:
An example of volume weight:
One consignment measures 30 cm long x 20 cm wide x 15 cm high. The volume weight is 1.8 kg
If the actual weight of the shipment is 1 kg, the volume weight is used as the chargeable weight in this example. The price for shipping is therefore calculated on the basis of the volume weight of 1.8 kg.
Frank and send parcel - directly to the website
Download shipping app
If you often send packages with a shipping service provider, it is worth using the respective app.
To do so, go to App Store or Google Play and search for the desired shipping service provider.
With these apps you can send, receive and return packages.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about girth
How do I calculate the girth?
Calculate girth The girth is the external dimensions of a package. The girth is calculated by adding (height + width) * 2 + length.
Why is there the girth measurement?
Belt dimensions are important for shipping service providers to determine the permissible sizes of parcels. On the one hand, this is important for the assembly line in the shipping center, on the other hand, it is decisive for the price calculation.
Are there differences between the parcel services?
Yes, each service provider has its own maximum dimensions. These are specified in the general terms and conditions or price lists (see above).
Why are there girth and liter specifications?
Some shipping providers, such as DPD, calculate the girth and the volume in liters.
The decisive factor is which dimension is reached first. The volume in liters is often reached first and is then considered the limit value.How is the price determined?
With some shipping service providers - such as DHL Express - the higher weight is used for the calculation, either the volume weight or the actual weight.
What are standard package sizes?
Shipping service providers often specify standard package sizes, which are XS, S, M, L and XL. The dimensions differ from the supplier. Ultimately, the decisive factor is again the permissible belt dimension.
What happens if the package is larger?
If the parcel is larger than the permitted girth, either a surcharge will be levied, it will be sent at a higher price as bulky goods or it will not be accepted at all. Shipping service providers automatically re-measure the size of packages, like UPS. Deviations are charged retroactively at the end of the month for business customers.
What is the volume weight?
The dimensional weight (DIM weight) is often used in logistics and shipping to calculate the shipping costs for parcels. It is based on the dimensions of a parcel and is usually given in kilograms.
Do I have to create the shipping labels myself?
If you are a Subke customer, you do not have to create the shipping labels yourself. We will do the job for you. We observe the permissible dimensions, print the shipping labels and frank the packages sufficiently.
How do I create shipping labels for Amazon pre FBA?
If you use Amazon Pre-FBA with us, you create the shipping labels with DPD, DHL or UPS directly in your Amazon seller account and then send us the shipping labels by email.
