Effective Aug. 18, 2025: FedEx now rounds any fractional inch up to the next whole inch for each package dimension before calculating dimensional (DIM) and billable weight. UPS adopted the same rule the same day.
What this means
- Old: Sub-half-inch fractions often rounded down for length, width, and height.
- New: Any dimensional fraction rounds up (for example, 11.1 inches becomes 12 inches).
- Result: Cubic inches increase, so dimensional weight will exceed scale weight and be used to caclulate billable weight more often.
- Billable weight: Carriers continue to round any fractional pound up to the next whole pound.
Quick math
- 11.1 x 8.1 x 4.1 inches → 12 x 9 x 5 inches = 540 cubic inches
- DIM: 540 ÷ 139 = 3.88 pounds → billed 4 pounds
Enterprise shippers (under contract)
- Assume it applies: The new measurement rule is part of baseline service; most contract discounts apply after DIM math. Check your agreement for any exceptions.
- Where contracts can help: Large-volume shippers sometimes negotiate a higher DIM divisor or targeted surcharge relief.
- DIM divsor: The DIM divsor set by major carriers is typically 139. Higher divsors, sometimes 166+, are secured by large, enterprise accounts causing prices to go down at scale.
Annual impact and what to do
- Small changes add up: Rounding-driven increases across tens or hundreds of thousands of parcels compound into a meaningful annual spend increase.
- Right-size packaging: Shift to tighter cartons or mailers to reduce void and cubic inches.
- Audit and forecast: Remeasure top items under the “round up each side” rule, update warehouse management systems and label settings, and model before-and-after costs.
Contact your Atlantic sales consultant to discuss right-sizing technology. Atlantic’s Packaging Solution Center experts can support package redesign and testing!