Weight calculation (window)

Last updated: 23 September 2025

Settings > Weight calculation

In this article

In this window you make settings for weight calculation. For more information, see Calculating the pricing weight.

The weight calculations can be set in the following registers. If the setting is [Default], Opter moves on to the next option in the list:

  1. Customer register (tab Order Settings).

  2. Price list (tab General).

  3. The constants settings where you have to select a weight calculation (tab Weight/Distance).

General

General

Function

Description

Name

Enter the name of the weight calculation.

Description

Free text field for internal notes. The description is not displayed anywhere else but here.

Pricing weight rounding

Choose which set of Rounding rules to use.

To create a new set of Rounding rules or modify an existing one, click on or at the drop-down menu and the window will open Rounding rules. For more information, see Rounding rules (window) and Calculating the pricing weight.

The default setting [None] means that there is no rounding. (In previous versions of Opter it says [Default] instead of [None]. If you select [Default] there is no rounding).

Length weight calculation

Choose which Length weight calculation to use.

[Default]: No weight calculation is carried out for long goods.

If you want to create a new Length weight calculation or edit an existing one, click on next to the drop-down list to open the Length weight calculation window. For more information, see Length weight calculation (window) and Setting up weight calculation for long goods.

Ignore quantity when calcualting packages

Select whether Opter should take into account, or disregard, the number of packages shown in column Quantity in section Packages when calculating the pricing weight:

: Opter does not take the number of parcels into account when calculating the weight for pricing purposes.

Select this option if you want to be able to enter, for example, ‘10 parcels weighing a total of 50 kg’ on a parcel line, but do not want the value in column Weight (or more) to be multiplied by the value in column Quantity (as this would result in a total of 10 × 50 kg = 500 kg).

: Opter takes the number of parcels into account when calculating the weight for pricing purposes.

Select this option if you want to be able to enter, for example, ‘10 parcels of 5 kg each’ on a parcel line and have the weight calculation total this as 10 × 5 kg = 50 kg.

If you do not display the Quantity column under Packages and instead display each consignment on a separate line, it does not matter what setting this tick box has. Opter does the weight calculation based on there being one package per row.

Aggregate package pricing weights

The default handling is that Opter sums all dimensions on the order, one by one. For example, all load metres for all packages on an order are added together in one total.

If you work a lot with packages that have mixed units (e.g. some have volume or load metres, others do not), you can tick the checkbox Aggregate package pricing weights to get a correct pricing weight.

: The pricing weight is calculated separately for each package, then these separate pricing weights are totalled.

: All dimensions present on the order are totalled separately.

Example

This is how Opter calculates the pricing weight depending on the checkbox setting:

Column 1: Weight: 70 kg, Volume: 1,0 m3.

Column 2: Weight: 200 kg, Volume: No data available.

  • Aggregate package pricing weights

    Orders summarise the dimensions as usual, it will then be:

    70 + 200 kg = 270 kg

    1.0 + 0.0 m3 = 1.0 m3

    With a weight factor of 300 kg per m3 we then get:

    Volume: 1.0 x 300 = 300 kg

    Weight: 270 kg

    The prize weight is the largest of these, i.e. 300kg.

    (Weight factors are described below.)

  • Aggregate package pricing weights

    With separate calculation per package, the pricing weight for each package is also calculated, it will then be:

    • Column 1:

      70 kg => 70 kg

      1.0 m3 => 300 kg

      300 kg is the largest, so parcel 1 has a pricing weight of 300 kg.

    • Column 2:

      200 kg => 200 kg

      0.0 m3 => 0 kg

      200 kg is the largest so package 2 has a pricing weight of 200 kg.

    The sum of these is 300 kg + 200 kg = 500 kg.

    This is more than the order's pricing weight from the order dimensions (300kg), so the pricing weight is changed to 500kg instead.

Weight factors

The weight factors are used to convert the current dimension to kg. For example, 1 m3 = 300 kg, and 1 load metre = 1950 kg.

  1. In the = KG field, enter a weight factor for the dimension.

  2. In the Rounding after conversion to KG drop-down menu, you can choose one of the following:

    • [None].

      The value you have entered in the = KG field is not rounded.

    • Default.

      The value is rounded according to standard rules, but if the decimal is 0.5, it is rounded to the nearest even integer. (This is to avoid systematically getting higher values after rounding.)

      • 5.1 kg > 5.0 kg (normal rounding)

      • 4.9 kg > 5.0 kg (normal rounding)

      • 4,5 kg > 4,0 kg (nearest even integer)

      • 5.5 kg > 6.0 kg (nearest even integer)

    • Rounding rules that you have created yourself in the window Rounding rules.

      To create a new set of Rounding rules or modify an existing one, click on or at the drop-down menu. For more information, see Rounding rules (window).

  3. Checkbox Individual calculation:

    If you use extra dimensions, you can choose whether an extra dimension is calculated individually or whether you want two or more to be added together. The checkbox works like this:

    • : The dimension is calculated individually.

      The checkbox is automatically selected (and cannot be changed) for the dimensions Volume, Pallet space and Load metre, as these dimensions are always calculated individually.

      For extra dimensions, tick the checkbox if you want the extra dimension to be calculated individually.

    • : The dimension is calculated individually.

    • : If you use extra dimensions, you can untick the checkbox for two or more extra dimensions. The extra dimensions will then be added together. See the example below.

    Extra dimension 1 has a weight factor of 325 kg.

    Extra dimension 2 has a weight factor of 162.5 kg.

    Extra dimension 3 has a weight factor of 400 kg.

    We want extra dimensions 1 and 2 to be added together, and extra dimension 3 to be calculated individually. So we uncheck the tick box Individual calculation for extra dimensions 1 and 2, and tick the tick box for extra dimension 3.

    We have an order for 2 pieces of extra dimension 1, 2 pieces of extra dimension 2, and 2 pieces of extra dimension 3. Opter then calculates as follows:

    Extra dimension 1: 2 x 325 kg = 650 kg.

    Extra dimension 2: 2 x 162.5 kg = 325 kg.

    Extra dimension 3: 2 x 400kg = 800kg.

    Opter sums Extra dimension 1 and Extra dimension 2: 650 kg + 325 kg = 975 kg.

    This is more than the pricing weight from any other dimension (Extra dimension 3 800kg), so the pricing weight will be 975kg.

Function

Description

Volume

Here you can specify the weight factor Opter should use for weight calculation of the dimension Volume.

For example, if you want to convert one cubic metre into 300 kg, enter "300" in the field = KG. The Rounding after conversion to KG drop-down list will automatically select [None]. The checkbox Individual calculation is automatically ticked, as the dimension Volume should always be calculated individually.

For instructions, see above the table.

Pallet space

Here you can specify the weight factor Opter should use for weight calculation of the dimension Pallet space.

For instructions, see above the table.

Load metre

Here you can specify the weight factor Opter should use for weight calculation of the dimension Load metre.

For instructions, see above the table.

Extra dimension 1—Extra dimension 5 (displayed if you are using extra dimensions.)

Here you can specify which weighting factor Opter should use for the weight calculation of extra dimensions, and choose whether the extra dimensions should be calculated individually, or whether two or more should be added together.

For instructions, see above the table.

Automatic dimensions

Volume

Function

Description

Calculate volume automatically

: Calculation of volume is performed automatically. (See also the Calculate volume only if the package is stackable tick box below).

: Calculation of volume is not performed automatically.

Calculate volume only if the package is stackable

The checkbox can only be ticked if the Calculate volume automatically checkbox (above) is ticked.

: Volume calculation is only performed if the package is stackable.

: Volume calculation is always performed if the checkbox Calculate volume automatically above is ticked, regardless of whether the package is stackable or not.

You decide what you want 'stackable' to mean in your organisation.

You can specify per package whether it is stackable or not.

For example, if you are transporting flagpoles, you can use the surface several times (by loading several flagpoles on top of each other, or laying the flagpoles on top of other goods). Flagpoles are durable and not very heavy. Therefore, the length weight, and therefore the price, can be lower than if the entire width of the vehicle had been used.

Rounding

Select one of the following:

  • [None].

    The results of the calculation are not rounded.

  • Default.

    The result of the calculation is rounded according to standard rules, but if the decimal is 0.5, it is rounded to the nearest even integer. (This is to avoid systematically getting higher values after rounding.)

    • 5.1 kg > 5.0 kg (normal rounding)

    • 4.9 kg > 5.0 kg (normal rounding)

    • 4,5 kg > 4,0 kg (nearest even integer)

    • 5.5 kg > 6.0 kg (nearest even integer)

  • Rounding rules that you have created yourself in the window Rounding rules.

    To create a new set of Rounding rules or modify an existing one, click on or at the drop-down menu. For more information, see Rounding rules (window).

Maximum length

Enter the maximum length of the package for the calculation of the volume to be performed.

WCA_VolumeMaxLength

Maximum width

Enter the maximum width of the package for the calculation of the volume to be performed.

Maximum height

Enter the maximum height of the package for the calculation of the volume to be performed.

Load metre

Function

Description

Calculate load metres automatically

: Calculation of load metres is done automatically. (See also the tick boxes below.)

: The calculation of load metres is not performed automatically.

Calculate load metres only if volume is missing

The checkbox can only be ticked if the Calculate load metres automatically checkbox (above) is ticked.

: Calculation of load metres is only performed if volume is missing.

: Calculation of load metres is always performed if the checkbox Calculate load metres automatically (above) is checked, and if the checkbox Calculate load metres only if length weight is missing (below) is unchecked.

Calculate load metres only if length weight is missing

The checkbox can only be ticked if the Calculate load metres automatically checkbox (above) is ticked.

: Calculation of load metres is only carried out if length weight is missing.

: Calculation of load metres is always performed if the checkbox Calculate load metres automatically (above) is checked, and if the checkbox Calculate load metres only if volume is missing (above) is unchecked.

Rounding

Select one of the following:

  • [None].

    The results of the calculation are not rounded.

  • Default.

    The result of the calculation is rounded according to standard rules, but if the decimal is 0.5, it is rounded to the nearest even integer. (This is to avoid systematically getting higher values after rounding.)

    • 5.1 kg > 5.0 kg (normal rounding)

    • 4.9 kg > 5.0 kg (normal rounding)

    • 4,5 kg > 4,0 kg (nearest even integer)

    • 5.5 kg > 6.0 kg (nearest even integer)

  • Rounding rules that you have created yourself in the window Rounding rules.

    To create a new set of Rounding rules or modify an existing one, click on or at the drop-down menu. For more information, see Rounding rules (window).

Maximum length

Enter the maximum length of the package for the load metre calculation to be performed.

Maximum width

Enter the maximum width of the package for the load metre calculation to be performed.

Maximum height

Enter the maximum height of the package for the load metre calculation to be performed.

Square metres per load metre

Indicate how many square metres a load metre should correspond to, for example 2.40.

Pallet space

Function

Description

Calculate pallet spaces automatically

: Pallet space calculation is performed automatically. (See also the Calculate pallet spaces only if evenly divisible by pallet size tick box below).

: Pallet space calculation is not performed automatically.

Calculate pallet spaces only if evenly divisible by pallet size

The checkbox can only be ticked if the Calculate pallet spaces automatically checkbox (above) is ticked.

: Pallet space is only calculated if it is evenly divisible by the pallet dimensions.

Enter the length and width of a pallet in the fields:

  • Length for 1 pallet.

  • Width for 1 pallet.

: Pallet space calculation is always performed if the checkbox Calculate pallet spaces automatically (above) is ticked.

Rounding

Choose one of the following:

  • [None].

    The results of the calculation are not rounded.

  • Default.

    The result of the calculation is rounded according to standard rules, but if the decimal is 0.5, it is rounded to the nearest even integer. (This is to avoid systematically getting higher values after rounding.)

    • 5.1 kg > 5.0 kg (normal rounding)

    • 4.9 kg > 5.0 kg (normal rounding)

    • 4,5 kg > 4,0 kg (nearest even integer)

    • 5.5 kg > 6.0 kg (nearest even integer)

  • Rounding rules that you have created yourself in the window Rounding rules.

    To create a new set of Rounding rules or modify an existing one, click on or at the drop-down menu. For more information, see Rounding rules (window).

Maximum length

Enter the maximum length of the package for the Pallet space calculation to be performed.

Maximum width

Enter the maximum width of the package for the Pallet space calculation to be performed.

Maximum height

Enter the maximum height of the package for the Pallet space calculation to be performed.

Load metres per pallet space

Indicate how many load metres a Pallet space should correspond to, for example 1.20.

Example

The Example box shows how volume, load metres and Pallet space are calculated.

The calculation for load metres will change if you change the value in the Square metres per load metre field in the Load metre box above.

The calculation for Pallet space will change if you changed the value in the Load metres per pallet space field in the Pallet space box above.

See also