What Is Desi (Volumetric Weight) and How Is It Calculated?

The short answer to what desi is: volumetric weight (desi) is the weight equivalent calculated from the volume a shipping package takes up, and for domestic shipments in Türkiye it is found with the formula (width x length x height, cm) / 3000. The carrier compares the package's actual weight (kg) with its desi and sets the fee based on whichever is higher.

What is desi, and why is it used?

In delivery vehicles, it is not only load capacity that is limited but also space. A light but large box (for example, a pillow or an empty storage box) takes up far more room in the vehicle than a heavy but small package. Desi converts this volume into a kilogram-like unit, so both packages can be priced on the same scale.

For marketplace sellers, desi directly affects profitability: contracted shipping invoices are issued according to desi/kg rate tiers, and from 2026 onward, the shipping cost of withdrawal returns made with the seller's chosen carrier also stays with the seller. For return shipping rules, see our article on the right of withdrawal in distance sales.

How is desi calculated?

The formula used for domestic shipments is:

Carriers may express this calculation in different ways; for example, first finding the volume in cubic decimeters (cm³ / 1,000) and then dividing by three gives the same result. For international shipments, the divisor is usually 5000 and varies by carrier; if you ship abroad, check the rates in your agreement.

When measuring:

• Take the package's outer dimensions; what counts is not the box's inner size but the measurement on the carrier's ruler.
• The longest side, width and height are measured from the box's most protruding points; for bulging poly bags, the widest point is used.
• Whether fractions are rounded up and how the rate tiers are set varies by carrier; check the rates in your agreement.

Desi or kilograms: which one are you charged for?

At the carrier's branch, the package is both weighed and measured. Carriers compare desi with kilograms and charge for the higher one; this value is used as the chargeable weight.

For example, even though the duvet cover set in the first row weighs only 3 kg, it takes up 8 desi of space, so it is charged at 8. The dumbbell set, on the other hand, is small but heavy, so its weight in kilograms is used.

Packing tips to lower desi

Because desi depends on volume, even a difference of a few centimeters can move you into a different rate tier:

1. Use a box that fits the product. Instead of filling a large box with padding, choose a box close to the product's size.
2. Use vacuum or compressed packing for textiles; for products like pillows, comforters and coats, desi drops noticeably.
3. Choose shipping bags. For non-fragile products, a bag instead of a box reduces volume.
4. Combine multiple items wisely. Packing items from the same order into one package is often cheaper than two separate packages; but if one side of the package gets very long, compare it with shipping separately.
5. Set standard box sizes. Choosing 3–4 standard box sizes for your best-selling products makes both entering desi and tracking stock easier.

Common mistakes in calculating desi

• Mistaking product dimensions for package dimensions: Entering the product's own dimensions on the listing leads to an underestimated shipping fee.
• Using a single desi for variants: Larger sizes of the same model or different set contents may have a different desi; enter it per variant.
• Forgetting promotional multi-item orders: Promotions like "buy 2, pay for 1" increase package volume; factor in the shipping rate tier when calculating a promotion's profitability.

Desi is only one part of shipping cost; distance, service type and your marketplace's shipping agreement also determine the price. For our other articles on shipping and logistics, browse the shipping and logistics category.