A complete guide on

How to measure a box

The first step to finding the perfect fit for your product is understanding how the dimensions are laid out on the box. In the image presented you can easily see what Length, Width and Depth represent.

Now you can move onto the product itself and find each of these dimensions. After you found all 3, by adding 1/16” to each side, you'll have the perfect box fit.

Let's see some examples!


Box dimensions

Measuring A Rectangular Object

All rectangular products should have three measurements. If you're measuring a product that has a curing time, like a soap bar, try to measure it when it finished shrinking. This way you’ll make sure the box is not going to be too large after the soap cures.

Step 1

Imagine your product laying in the box on the shelf. The LENGTH is the distance between the left and the right of your product.

Measuring rectangle length

Step 2

The distance from the front of the product till the back measured across the side panel is your WIDTH. In our example we measured 15/16.

Measuring rectangle width

Step 3

The DEPTH or height of the product is the distance between the bottom and the top of your product as it's sitting on the shelf, closed.

Measuring rectangle depth

Measuring A Cylindrical Object

It's even easier to measure cylindrical objects as you're only measuring two dimensions. The diameter of the cylinder (that gives us the length and the width) and the height of the cylinder (that gives us the depth).

If you love math and want to get super-precise, grab a string and wrap it once around the cylinder. Measure the strings' length. The diameter of the cylinder is equal to the string length divided by 3.14.

For the non-math version, here are the steps below.

Step 1

Imagine your product inside the box on the shelf. The LENGTH is the distance between the left and the right of your product.

Measuring cylinder length

Step 2

Because we're dealing with a round object, the WIDTH is going to be the same size as the length. In our example we measured it to be 1 11/16 inches.

Measuring cylinder width

Step 3

Same as with the rectangluar object, the DEPTH or height of the product is the distance between the bottom and the top. In our case it's 4 1/16 inches.

Measuring cylinder depth
Sizing the Box according to dimensions

Making your product

Fit perfectly in the box

To get the perfect matching box for your product, you need to add 1/16” to each of the three dimensions you've just measured. We have found this gives the best amount of room for your product without being too loose in the box.

It's best to convert 1/16 in mathematical terms, so in our case 1 5/16 inches will be 1.3125 inches For simplicity we can stick with two decimals, leaving our final box dimension to be 1.31 inches.

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