1
Open The Box
Remove any contents and fully open the flaps or lid. If the box is glued, carefully unstick the glue flap so the box can lay flat with the outside facing down.
How To Measure A Box
Choosing the right dimensions to effectively secure your product in transit whilst utilising the best shipping and volume configuration is an important consideration. In order to ensure you know exactly what dimensions you require for your custom boxes, we've created these a guidelines on How to Measure A Box for easy reference. With this guide, you'll have no trouble getting the precise dimensions of any box, ensuring that your packing and shipping processes go smoothly.
Australian Made
We manufacture locally in WA
National Delivery
Free on orders over $300 to Metro WA
Fast Production
2-5 days on custom boxes
Custom Printed
Brand your boxes with specialty printing
HOW ARE BOX DIMENSIONS WRITTEN?
When measuring a cardboard box, dimensions are written in the order Length × Width × Height (L × W × H).
Length (L)
The longest side of the box opening.
Width (W)
The shorter side of the box opening.
Height (H)
The distance from the base of the box to the top.
In Australia, box dimensions are measured in millimetres (mm) due to the metric system. This ensures precision and consistency in manufacturing.
For example, a box listed as 400 × 300 × 200 mm has an internal length of 400 mm, width of 300 mm and height of 200 mm.
When ordering custom boxes from Boxes 24, always check the required measurement format before submitting your dimensions.
Understand the Difference
Internal Vs External Measurements
A very common mistake to make while measuring a box is using the dimensions of the outside of the box. This way of measuring the box does not properly account for the thickness of the corrugated cardboard.
Internal DImensions
When measuring a box for custom manufacturing, it's important to focus on internal dimensions. These are the usable spaces inside the box where your product will fit. We use these internal dimensions to ensure that your box is built precisely to your specifications. Always provide internal dimensions when submitting your measurements. Interior measurements guarantee a perfect match for the product no matter how thick or thin the packaging walls are.
External Dimensions
External dimensions, on the other hand, relate to the overall size of the box, which impacts shipping and storage but isn't used in the manufacturing process. Relying on the outside measurements can lead to boxes where your products will not fit inside the box.
ALLOW ENOUGH SPACE TO PROTECT YOUR PRODUCT
Your product dimensions are only the starting point when choosing the right box size.
If your product will be wrapped or protected before it goes into the box, measure it with its protective packaging included wherever possible.
Depending on the product, you may need to allow room for:
- Bubble wrap or protective wrapping
- Paper and void fill
- Cardboard inserts
- Dividers and partitions
- Protective pads
- Additional products packed in the same box
- Space to easily pack and remove the product
The dimensions you provide should represent the usable internal space required inside the finished box, not simply the dimensions of the unprotected product.
Avoid making the box unnecessarily large. Excess space can allow products to move during transport and may increase the amount of void fill required.
STEP BY STEP GUIDE
How To Measure An Existing Box
You will need to use a ruler or measuring tape to measure.
The order of measurements is Length x Width x Height with length being the longest dimension first.
2
Measure The Length
The length of the box is the longest side when looking at it from the top. Place your measuring tape or ruler inside the box, at the centre of the score (the indented crease where the board is designed to fold). Measure from one end of the inside score to the other, and record the length in millimetres.
3
Measure The Width
The width of the box is the shortest side when looking at it from the top. Measure from one end of the inside crease to the other, in the centre of the score. Record the width in millimetres.
4
Measure The Height
The height (or depth) is the side that’s perpendicular length and width. Place your measuring tape or ruler at the bottom inside score of one of the vertical sides. Measure from the bottom to the top inside crease, only from score to score, excluding any flaps. Record the height in millimetres.
START WITH WHAT YOU NEED TO PACK
MEASURING A PRODUCT FOR A NEW BOX
Don’t have an existing box to measure? Start with your product.
Measure the product at its longest, widest and highest points.
If the product will be wrapped, padded or placed inside an insert before packing, include this protective packaging when determining the space required.
Record the finished measurements in millimetres and use them to determine the internal dimensions required for your new box.
If additional clearance is required for easy packing, the finished internal box dimensions will need to be slightly larger than these measurements.
The amount of additional space required depends on the product, its weight, the type of protective packaging being used and how securely it needs to be held during transport.
If you’re unsure, our packaging team can help determine an appropriate box size for your product.
CHECK BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR DIMENSIONS
COMMON BOX MEASURING MISTAKES
A few millimetres can make a significant difference when you’re creating packaging around a product. Before submitting your measurements, check for these common mistakes.
MEASURING THE OUTSIDE OF THE BOX
External measurements include the thickness of the cardboard and don’t necessarily represent the usable space inside the box. When internal dimensions are required, measure inside the box.
ENTERING DIMENSIONS IN THE WRONG ORDER
Record your dimensions as Length × Width × Height (L × W × H).
FORGETTING PROTECTIVE PACKAGING
If you’re using bubble wrap, inserts, dividers or other protective materials, make sure they are considered when determining the required internal dimensions.
INCLUDING THE FLAPS
Measure the usable box dimensions between the score lines rather than measuring to the end of the closing flaps.
USING CENTIMETRES INSTEAD OF MILLIMETRES
Boxes 24 uses millimetres for box dimensions. For example, 40 × 30 × 20 cm becomes 400 × 300 × 200 mm.
NOT CHECKING YOUR PRODUCT’S LARGEST POINTS
Handles, lids, closures and irregular shapes can make part of a product wider or taller than expected. Measure the maximum length, width and height.
GOT YOUR MEASUREMENTS?
BUILD YOUR CUSTOM BOX ONLINE
Once you know the internal Length × Width × Height required, you’re ready to start building your box.
Use the Boxes 24 Custom Box Builder to enter your dimensions, configure your packaging and explore the available board and printing options.
For specialist packaging, unusual dimensions or larger production requirements, our team can also help develop a packaging solution around your product.
How to Measure A Box Support
Frequently asked questions
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Product FAQs
Box dimensions can be expressed as either internal or external measurements, so it is important to check which measurement is being requested. For custom box manufacturing, Boxes 24 generally works with the internal dimensions required for the product. Internal measurements represent the usable space inside the finished box.
Box dimensions are typically written as Length × Width × Height (L × W × H). For example, a box measuring 400 × 300 × 200 mm is 400 mm long, 300 mm wide and 200 mm high.
For a standard rectangular box, the length is the longer dimension of the box opening, while the width is the shorter dimension. The height or depth runs from the base of the box to the top.
Boxes 24 uses millimetres (mm) for box dimensions. If you have measured your product in centimetres, multiply each measurement by 10. For example, 35 cm is 350 mm.
There isn’t one clearance that works for every product. The space required depends on the product’s size, weight, fragility and the type of protective packaging being used. Measure your product with any wrapping, inserts or padding included and allow enough space for it to be packed comfortably without unnecessary movement.
Yes. If bubble wrap, cardboard inserts, dividers, void fill or other protective packaging will sit between the product and the box, include this when determining the internal dimensions you require. Measuring the product after protective packaging has been added can help establish the space needed.
Open the box and measure its internal length, width and height in millimetres. For corrugated boxes, measure between the internal score or fold lines rather than including the closing flaps. Record the measurements as Length × Width × Height.
Measure the product at its longest, widest and highest points, including any handles, closures, protruding components or protective packaging. For products requiring specialist inserts or an unusual box structure, contact Boxes 24 to discuss a custom packaging solution.
If you’re providing the required internal dimensions, you generally don’t need to calculate the board thickness yourself. Boxes 24 can manufacture the box around the required internal space and appropriate board specification.
Custom boxes are manufactured to the dimensions supplied, so measurements should be carefully checked before placing your order. If you’re unsure about your dimensions or how your product should be measured, contact the Boxes 24 team before ordering.
