Length – Width – Height : Find carton made to measure for your products

When looking for a suitable box for shipping goods, it is important to have the correct box dimensions. If the box is too large, the product may be damaged or the postage costs may increase. If the box is too small, the item to be shipped will not fit in it at all. A made-to-measure box can be the right option here. But how do you find the right box dimensions? And what do length, width and height actually mean for cartons and packaging?

Standardised dimensions for packaging

Carton dimensions always consist of the three measurements length, width and height. Now, with an almost endless choice of carton formats, it is not always immediately clear: Where is the length in a carton? What is the carton width? And what is the height? Good news: this is standardised. And in this order as standard. The following applies: Carton size

In some cases, carton dimensions are also given in centimetres or inches. The conversion is as follows:

• 1 inch/inch = 2.54 cm
• 1 cm =0.393701 inch/inch (exactly 0.393700787402)

Also found: The English-language indications H , W, L . These stand for Height, Width and Lenght.

Inside measurement or outside measurement?

The standardised terms for carton dimensions and their standardised order make it much easier to specify the correct dimensions. In the world of cardboard boxes, however, there are also the terms inside dimension and outside dimension. And these two values can differ considerably, depending on the quality of the carton (single wall, double wall, triple wall…).

Inner dimension important for carton contents

The inside dimension is the standard for carton dimensions. It tells you how big the items that are to be packed in a box can be. It is important to choose a box that is a few millimetres larger than the dimensions of the goods to be packed.

This is because, on the one hand, there can be production-related deviations in the cardboard boxes (e.g. in the material thickness of the cardboard) and, on the other hand, this makes it easier to pack and remove the goods later. For particularly sensitive products, you may also need filling material to ensure that the contents are optimally protected.

Outer dimensions relevant for storage

On the other hand, when it comes to space in the warehouse or in the transporter, the outside dimension is relevant. This is calculated by measuring the lengths of the side panels when the box is closed and adding a material tolerance of 5 mm each.

What then is meant by depth for a shelf board?

The depth, for example of a shelf, refers to the extension to the back. A shelf with a depth of 60 cm can therefore be used to store goods whose length or width does not exceed 60 cm.

Find a made-to-measure box

Whether large or small, light or heavy, robust or fragile – different products need different packaging solutions. A made-to-measure box is the ideal way to pack your goods securely.

As experts in packaging solutions, we offer you the right box for every product. With a selection of more than 1,250 boxes, we are sure to have the right box for you. You can find out which one it is within a few clicks with our practical box finder.