Items with their own weight and net weight are two very important numbers that are used to define the characteristics of goods. However, there is a big difference between these two numbers and people can confuse them with each other. If you have any doubts regarding the difference between gross weight and net weight, then you should read this article.
Summary Table
| Gross Weight | Net Weight |
| The weight of the cargo plus the packaging and accessories. | The weight of the cargo minus all its accessories. |
| Gross Weight = Total weight of the contents + Accessories + Packaging materials | Net Weight = Gross Weight – Packaging |
| Easier to calculate | Harder to calculate |
Gross weight is the total weight of an item including its packaging and accessories. It can be easily calculated by adding up all the components of a product to get its final total. It is usually calculated by calculating the units or ounces used in packing of a product. Net weight is the total weight of an item without its packaging and accessories. It can be easily calculated by subtracting the gross weight from the total.
It sounds simple, but you should understand that there are a lot of differences between these two numbers. For example, if you want to know the difference between a laptop and a desktop computer, then you should calculate their weight before knowing their total weight. The laptop weighs less than the desktop computer because it has less accessories and packaging.
Understanding the differences between gross weight and net weight can help you save money. It will be helpful if you know the difference between these two numbers and can compare them with each other.
So, in this article, we will discuss the difference between gross weight and net weight. You will get to know how to calculate these two numbers and understand their differences. We will also take a look at the pros and cons of these two numbers.
So, let’s get started!
What is Gross Weight?
Gross weight is the total weight of a product including its packaging. It is also called the ‘absolute weight’.
Gross Weight = Product Weight + Packaging Weight + Package Weight
The gross weight of a product can be determined by taking the weight of all the components. However, the gross weight is usually higher than its net weight because some of the components have to be excluded.
For example, if you have a crate containing 3 bags of candy, each bag weighs 10 lbs. The gross weight of the crate is 40 lbs. This means that 40 lbs are the total weight of the product including its packaging.
What is Net Weight?
Net weight is the actual weight of the package which is left after you have subtracted the weight of all contents, accessories and packaging materials. In other words, it is a clear indication of how much a package weighs when it comes out from your warehouse. This amount can be used for shipment purposes. For example, if you are shipping heavy items or items that require special care and handling, you can consider shipping the packages by using the net weight.
Net Weight = Gross Weight – Packaging
Gross Weight = Total weight of the contents + Accessories + Packaging materials
How are They Related?
Gross weight is the weight of a product when it is packed and ready to be transported. It also includes any packaging material used to keep the product safe during transportation. On the other hand, net weight refers to the actual weight of a product after it has been unpacked.
These two numbers are both very important to manufacturers. They are used in different industries to determine the shipping costs of a product. If you want to know how much your shipment will cost, it is essential that you calculate these two numbers.
In terms of the weight of a product, there are two ways to calculate it. The first way is to use the official scale used by the manufacturer. The second way is to weigh the product with a digital scale that you have bought from a store. Both the gross weight and the net weight are calculated in this way.
What are the Differences?
Although both the numbers are related to the weight of the cargo, they do have a significant difference. Let’s look at the details.
Definition
Gross weight is the weight of the cargo plus the packaging and accessories. On the other hand, net weight is just the weight of the cargo minus all its accessories.
Units
Net Weight can be calculated in Kilograms or Pounds. The units of Gross Weight are Metric Ton and Metric Tons.
Purpose
Gross Weight is used to calculate the cost of shipping. The calculation of Net Weight is used to calculate the weight of a cargo before it is packed.
How to Calculate?
To calculate Gross Weight, you need to add up all the weights of the items packed. To calculate Net Weight, you need to subtract all the weights of accessories and packaging from the weight of cargo.
Pros and Cons
Let’s see what are the pros and cons of Gross Weight and Net Weight:
Pros
It is easy to calculate gross weight because you just have to add up all the weights of goods packed in a container before it is shipped.
Cons
Net weight does not include the weight of accessories and packaging. You will have to calculate these two numbers separately if you want to calculate the total weight of a cargo.
So, although the difference between these two numbers is not significant, it is important to know them. Both are very important numbers that will help you calculate the weight of your cargo accurately.
