"FedEx and UPS will round up all package dimensions" - clarification, please?

[the-mtb-recyclist]

Hi, all. The notice says:

"Starting August 18, FedEx and UPS will round up all package dimensions—length, width, and height—to the next whole inch. To avoid unexpected charges, make sure to round up your measurements for accurate shipping rates."

Does this mean, they are measuring every parcel that ships, determining actual dimensions, then rounding EVERYTHING up?

Or,  does this mean they are measuring certain parcels that ship, determining actual dimensions, then rounding EVERYTHING up?

Or, are they going to round up every dimension regardless, based on whatever is input onto the label when printed?

Or, something else entirely?

I ship many large items - bicycle frames and wheels - and the boxes I use for those shipments measure either 36" x 8" x 24" or 48" x 8" x 24".

Should I be adding one inch to all of those measurements when printing a label? Or, since I know those are the ACCURATE dimensions, should I -subtract- an inch from each dimension expecting they will ADD one?

Thanks!

[valueaddedresource · Accepted solution]

@the-mtb-recyclist  Here's what both UPS and FedEx have said about it directly from their websites:

UPS:

Effective August 18, 2025, when determining the dimensions of a package, UPS will round all fractional measurements of any package dimension up to the next whole inch, including length, width and height.

For example, if the length of a package is 11.1 inches, that package will be deemed to have a length of 12 inches.

FedEx:

Effective Aug. 18, 2025, FedEx will round every fraction of an inch/centimeter up to the next-higher inch/centimeter.

Since they both mention fractions of an inch, I think it's safe to say that they are only rounding up if you enter fractional measurements and if you enter whole numbers (assuming they are accurate/already rounded up by you), then those whole numbers are what they will use.

[powell-collectibles]

One can make the argument that you should round up when setting your dimensions to calculate shipping for your listing, rounding down when you enter your dimensions to print and pay for a label.

[the-mtb-recyclist]

Thank you! Ah, precision of language. If only eBay had included the word "fractional." If they had, I wouldn't have posted.

Reminds me of the saying: "Always proofread carefully so you don't any words out."

Much appreciated!

[rudy2828]

I thought it was always that way with UPS and FedEx. USPS rounds to the closest inch.

[wastingtime101]

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@rudy2828 wrote:

I thought it was always that way with UPS and FedEx. USPS rounds to the closest inch.

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@rudy2828 No, none of the carriers rounded up to the next inch as default. Most services they rounded off (up or down at the half inch mark). Read this:

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Shipping/Shipping-Guide-Measuring-Packages/td-p/35214174