How to Correctly Measure Various Types of Box Dimensions?

The packaging industry offers many designs and boxes. Every style of box has its own requirements and needs regarding the proper dimensions. You should take measurements of the dimensions and size of the box so that the product you put in it will fit perfectly, but also be safe for storage and handling. Every type of box has dimensions as well as depth. To make it easier for you, we've provided the measurement techniques commonly employed in the packaging industry for the most widely utilised and most popular types of boxes.

First, you must capture the required product dimensions for your preferred box style.
Capture the product's length, width and height. That will ensure a snug fit.
Measure the longest side of the product for length; the second-longest side will help you determine the width.
Similarly, the tallest point of your product will help you decide the height of your box.
When measuring irregularly shaped items, use the farthest sides or points to avoid compression or damage during box closure.
Apart from the exact dimension, you shall also add a trim tolerance level to your measurement (usually 1-3 mm) to help you accommodate the ease of insertion and product adjustment.

Why Measure Dimensions According to Various Box Styles?

As previously mentioned, a variety of box styles and designs are available to suit the demands and specifications of various industries. Knowing the dimensions required for your choice of style will ensure an appropriate box assembly and durability. If you do not take note of these details, this could cause problems with the fit when you are making the box. This is the reason why experts begin by creating a mock-up based on the initial measurements. If the mock-up is not up to the mark, they will alter the measurements until they fit the product requirements.

Here are the dimension measurements for a few of the most popular box types:

Folding Cartons (measured on the inside)

120 × 80 × 30 mm (L × W × H)
150 × 100 × 50 mm
200 × 120 × 60 mm
250 × 150 × 80 mm
300 × 200 × 100 mm

Rigid Boxes (measured on the inside)

100 × 100 × 40 mm
150 × 120 × 50 mm
180 × 140 × 60 mm
220 × 160 × 80 mm
250 × 200 × 100 mm

Shipping Boxes (measured on the inside, flap closed)

200 × 150 × 100 mm
300 × 200 × 150 mm
400 × 300 × 200 mm
500 × 400 × 250 mm
600 × 450 × 300 mm

Display Packaging (measured on the inside)

150 × 100 × 200 mm
200 × 150 × 250 mm
250 × 150 × 300 mm
300 × 200 × 400 mm
350 × 250 × 500 mm

Subscription and Mailer Boxes (measured on the inside)

200 × 150 × 40 mm
250 × 200 × 50 mm
300 × 250 × 60 mm
350 × 250 × 80 mm
400 × 300 × 100 mm

All the above dimensions are based on the internal measurements of each box. Feel free to ask if you need further assistance sourcing these boxes or have specific requirements!