Courier Cost Calculator

Work out courier cost instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Courier Cost Calculator

Courier pricing is a first-kilogram rate plus a lower marginal rate per additional kilogram, which is why average cost per kilogram falls sharply with shipment size. Consolidating several small parcels into one is usually much cheaper than sending them separately.

Formula

Courier cost

cost = first kg rate + (weight - 1) x additional rate + surcharges

Worked example

With the default values below, Courier Cost Calculator returns Total cost of $35.80. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Chargeable weight: 12 kg
Rate for the first kilogram: 9.5
Rate per additional kilogram: 1.8
Surcharges and extras: 6.5

Results

Total cost: $35.80
Weight-based cost: $29.30
Average cost per kilogram: $2.983
Cost of one more kilogram: $1.80

Step by step

1Values used
2Courier cost
3Total cost= 35.80
4Weight-based cost= 29.30
5Average cost per kilogram= 2.983
6Cost of one more kilogram= 1.80

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the first kilogram so expensive?

It carries the fixed cost of collection, sortation and delivery, which is largely independent of weight. Marginal kilograms only add line-haul cost.

What surcharges are common?

Residential delivery, remote area, fuel, oversize, and address correction. They can easily add 20-30% to a headline rate.