How Many Cigarettes in a Pack? A Complete Guide

Generally, the standard custom cigarette box is 3.5 inches in length, 2.2 inches in width, and 0.8 inches in depth and holds up to 20 cigarettes in a single pack. Though it is the legally accepted minimum cigarette quantity in most of the regions, this quantity varies in some parts of the globe as well. For example, if you are in the USA, Canada, or any other such country, the minimum is 20 but, in the UK, since 2017, the allowed cigarette quantity in a single standard pack is fewer than 20.

Similarly, in Australia, many brands are allowed to sell 30,40, or 50 cigarettes in a single standard-sized packaging. Besides this, various businesses offer more cigarettes in larger or king-sized boxes as well. This is due to the continuously increasing CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of the tobacco industry which is projected to rise by 2.5% from 2024 to 2030. So, do you want to know how many cigarettes are in a pack of all sizes?  Or want to know how many packs of cigarettes are in a carton? Stick to this detailed blog post! Here, we have discussed everything in detail. So, let’s get started!

How Many Cigarettes Are In a Pack? – A Detailed Overview of Different Pack Sizes

Here are some of the most famous cigarette packs, legally accepted by most of the global countries. Let’s have a look at them for a better understanding:

Standard 20-Cigarette Pack

• Commonly found in Australia, Europe, the United States, and many other parts of the world.
• Designed to hold a minimum of 20 cigarettes in a single packaging.
• Universally accepted and widely sold cigarette packaging pack size.
• Available in both hard and soft packs, featuring sturdy cardboard and flexible paper composition.

Smaller 10-Cigarette Pack

• It’s also called a 10-cigarette pack, capable of holding a minimum of 10 cigarettes in a single packaging.
• Usually, such packs are prominent in South-East Asia, Russia, and Eastern Europe.
• Ideally, these packs are 3 to 3.2 inches long, 2.2 to 2.4 inches wide, and 0.7 to 0.8 inches deep.
• Made up of top-quality cardboard material the larger-sized boxes are made but have comparatively smaller printing and design formats.

Larger 25- Cigarette Pack

• Holding a minimum of 25 cigarettes in a single pack, it is one of the largest cigarette packs as compared to the standard sizes.
• Typically, a larger 25-cigarette cigarette pack is 4 to 4.2 inches large, 2.4 to 2.6 inches wide, and 1 to 1.1 inches deep.
• It is preferably designed for regular smokers who smoke frequently and want to purchase a bulk of cigarettes at a time to save money.
• These packs are made up of special cardboard with high tensile strength to ensure more safety and security of premium cigarettes, packaged in a larger quantity.

King-Sized Packs

• They are common in the USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
• Also called 100s packs, these king-sized packaging solutions also contain the standard 20 cigarette pieces. The only difference lies in the length and sizes of cigarettes packaged in these boxes.
• Usually, a king-sized pack holds 85mm or 100mm 20 cigarette pieces.
• Ideally, these packs are 3.5 to 3.7 inches long, 2.2 to 2.4 inches wide, and 0.8 to 1.0 inches shallow.
• These customized boxes are highly preferred by smokers who want an enhanced smoking experience.

Specialty & Limited-Edition Packs

• Available in specific countries, these packs often target a niche market, especially premium brands.
• These limited-edition packaging solutions include numerous variations, such as designer packs, vintage packs, seasonal promotions, and many more such options.
• These top-notch packs may include both smaller and larger options, including a 5-cigarette to 30 or more cigarette packaging.
• Specialty or limited-edition packs are specifically personalized with custom dimensions, add-ons, coatings, prints, and other options.
• Besides cigarette's secure packaging, these packs are excellent marketing tools for luxury cigarette brands.

Cigarette Packs According to Material Types & their Maximum Capacity

Let’s break down cigarette packs according to the material used in their manufacturing and find out the upholding capacity of each pack. Typically, when it comes to manufacturing materials, custom cigarette packs fall into the following two categories:

• Soft pack cigarette packs
• Hard-pack cigarette packs

Soft Pack Cigarette Packs

These are paper-based or foil-wrapped packs, featuring a soft and flexible composition. Soft-pack cigarette packs are lightweight and easily pliable. Such packs are more compact and convenient for carrying in pockets and bags. Usually, the best-quality soft paper, foil, or a combination of both are used in making these high-end boxes. Typically, the standard menthol, light, and specialty brands prefer using these top-notch cigarette packs for their high-end cigarettes. The following are some of the most famous types of soft packs globally available to package, display, and transit cigarettes:

• Standard packs holding 20 cigarettes.
• Half packs carrying 10 cigarettes.
• Premium or specialty cigarette packs have 5 to 30 cigarettes.

In short, a standard of 20 cigarettes is usually packaged in soft-pack cigarette packs. However, a slight increase or decrease can be expected.

Hard Pack Cigarette Packs

Unlike soft packs, hard-pack cigarette packs are made up of rigid cardboard, ensuring the intactness and protection of premium-quality cigarettes during their transit and display. Usually, an extra protective layer is also lined inside the packaging to make it more robust and secure against crushing and bending. In contrast to soft-pack cigarette packs, the hard-pack cigarette packs are more durable and secure. The following cigarette pack types usually fall under this category:

• Standard packs with 20 cigarettes inside.
• King-sized packs carrying the standard 20 cigarettes.
• 100s pack having 20 longer cigarettes.
• Larger packs with 25 or more cigarettes packaged inside.

Hence, a standard of 20 cigarettes is typically packaged inside hard-pack cigarette packs. This number can be exceeded in the case of larger-sized packs or boxes. Apart from these versatile cigarette packs, brands also often go with cigarette cartons for bulk purchases. Let’s discuss these cartons in detail.

What are Cigarette Cartons and How Many Packs of Cigarettes are in a Carton?

These are the larger, bulk packaging units for cigarettes. Many professional packaging manufacturers and suppliers offer a large number of cigarettes in custom-printed cigarette cartons at wholesale rates. These cartons are highly preferred for their cost-effectiveness, sturdy composition, sustainability features, and full customization opportunities. Here is a detailed overview of these packaging solutions that make them distinct packaging and marketing tools in the industry:

Manufacturing Materials of Custom Cigarette Cartons

These robust and high-end cartons are made up of the best-quality simple and coated cardboard, corrugated board, and eco-friendly Kraft paper with more tensile strength. Such composition makes them lightweight, cost-effective, and luxurious. Most often, high-end foil laminations are also applied to the cigarette cartons to make them more deluxe and eye-catching.

What Makes Custom Cigarette Cartons the Top Pick of Brands?

Here are some of the reasons why custom-printed cigarette cartons are highly picked by brands:

• Economical choice for bulk packaging.
• Protective and sturdy designs with built-in freshness seals.
• Endless customization options, displaying health warnings, regulatory information, and complete branding details.
• Compactness and portability.
• Tamper-evident security seals to ensure that the packaged content has not been tampered with.
• Availability of endless custom designs to perfectly meet the unique branding requirements of each business.

How Many Packs in a Carton of Cigarettes?

A standard cigarette carton is designed to hold at least 10 packs of cigarettes, each containing up to 20 cigarettes. It means a total of 200 cigarettes are usually packaged in a standard carton of cigarettes, 8.5 to 9 inches in length, 4.5 to 5 inches in width, and 3 to 3.5 inches in height. However, just like cigarette packs, cigarette cartons are also available in different dimensions to hold a variable quantity of premium-quality cigarettes. Let’s have a look at some of the most famous cigarette carton types and make an informed decision next time:

Standard Cigarette Carton (10 Packs)

• Total number of cigarette packs = 10
• Total number of cigarettes = 200
• The most common carton size is highly preferred by everyday consumers.

Half Carton (5 Packs)

• Total number of cigarette packs = 5
• Total number of cigarettes = 100
• Number of cigarettes in each pack = 20
• Ideal dimensions = length around 6.5 to 7.0 inches, width approximately 3.5 to 4.0 inches, and depth around 2.5 to 3.0 inches.
• Typically used for smaller and more affordable purchases in bulk.

Large Carton (15 Packs)

• Total number of cigarette packs = 15
• Total quantity of cigarettes = 300
• The number of cigarettes in each pack = 20
• Slightly less common than the standard 10-pack carton. Usually seen in areas with high tobacco consumption or favorable pricing for larger quantities.

Premium Carton (10 or 20 Packs, with Larger Packs)

• A total number of cigarette packs = 10 or 20 packs with larger pack sizes.
• Number of cigarettes in each pack = 25
• Total number of cigarettes = 250 if 10 packs are packaged in a carton and 500 if 20 packs are packaged in a carton.
• Commonly used by premium brands that offer a larger number of cigarettes per pack.

Carton with King-Size or 100s Packs (20 Packs or More)

• A total number of cigarette packs = 10 to 20 packs of king-size or 100s packs (which are longer than standard cigarettes).
• Total number of cigarettes in each pack = 20
• Total number of cigarettes in the whole carton = 200 to 400. If 10 packs are packaged then 200 and if 20 packs are packaged then 400.
• These cartons typically cater to smokers who prefer longer cigarettes as compared to the standard sizes.

Cartons with Menthol, Light, and Specialty Cigarettes

• Total number of cigarette packs = Usually varies between 10 and 15 packs.
• The total amount of cigarettes in the carton = Typically 200 to 300, depending on the number of packs.
• Approximate number of cigarettes in each carton = 20.
• Contains a wide variety of cigarettes, such as menthol, light brands, and many flavored options.

Cartons for Low Cost or Discount Cigarettes

• Total number of cigarette packs = 10 or more at a discounted price.
• Total number of cigarettes in carton = 200 to 300.
• Total number of cigarettes in each pack of the carton = 20
• Ideally designed for budget-conscious smokers. Often found in discount stores or regions with lower taxes on tobacco products.

The Most Famous Custom Cigarette Box Styles Available in the Market

The following are some of the most popular and demanded custom box styles for cigarette packaging to take your brand’s sales to the next level in no time. Let’s give a once-over to these highly functional, eye-catching, and best-quality box styles:

Flip-Top Boxes

These are some of the most iconic box styles, highly preferred by luxury cigarette brands. These top-notch boxes often feature a hinged lid that flips open, offering a memorable unboxing experience to consumers. Usually, the best-quality paperboard and soft-touch laminations are used in making these versatile and luxury cigarette boxes. Flip-top cigarette packaging solutions are also often embossed or foil-stamped to give a high-end visual appeal to the packaging.

Magnetic Closure Boxes

Featuring hidden and secure magnets, these high-end boxes offer a sense of luxury and a premium feel to the packaging. The box may have an exterior of matte or textured paper, often featuring foil stamping, embossing, debossing, metallic printing, and other such high-end options. Magnetic closure boxes are generally made up of the best-quality paperboard or well-finished, high-end cardboard.

Embossed Rigid Boxes

Made up of rigid and sturdy cardboard and paperboard, these boxes stand out for their premium raised designs on logos, patterns, and textures. Embossed rigid cigarette boxes are highly preferred to add to the overall elegance of the packaging and enhance customers’ unboxing experience. Typically, these high-end boxes are used for limited-edition releases and the packaging of premium tobacco products.

Cylindrical or Tube Boxes

They are unique cigarette packaging box styles that hold cigarettes in a sleek manner. The high-quality rigid paperboard is usually used in making these premium box styles. Special edition cigarettes, luxury gift sets, and premium brand cigarettes are often packaged, displayed, and shipped in custom cylindrical or tube-shaped boxes.

Slide or Drawer-Style Boxes

These deluxe, customized boxes have a premium, rigid outer surface and a sleek sliding inner portion that allows you to package and display cigarettes in style. Top-quality rigid paperboard is the most commonly used manufacturing material in making these premium-style boxes. Besides the high-end sliding mechanism, the sleek slide or drawer-style boxes also stand out for their embossed, engraved, or metallic foiling accents.

Dual or Multi-Compartment Box Style

This highly functional and visually stunning box style has separate sections within the single packaging. Brands usually use these high-end packaging solutions for different flavors, blends, premium cigarettes, and filter combinations. The high-standard paperboard in variable thicknesses is typically used in making dual or multi-compartment box styles. Moreover, premium foiling, inserts, printing, and coatings are also added to these boxes to enhance their visual appeal and functionality.

What Common Factors Determine the Cigarette Pack Size and the Price of Cigarette Packaged Inside the Box or Carton?

The following are some of the most common factors that play a significant role in determining the size of custom cigarette packages and the ultimate price of each cigarette placed inside the box:

• State’s regulations.
• Health warnings.
• Tobacco taxes and pricing.
• Cigarette length and size.
• Custom branding or no branding requirements.
• Printing, coating, and unique add-ons inculcations.

Besides these highlighted reasons, there can be many other reasons as well that can affect the overall sizing and pricing of custom cigarette packs and cartons.

Final Words

So, how many cigarettes are in a pack and a carton? 20 when it comes to packs and 200 when the discussion revolves around cigarette cartons. Just for a reminder, these figures are for the standardized packaging, the number of cigarettes can vary for both packs and cartons when we consider some non-standard cigarette packaging solutions.

Well, whether you want a top-quality cigarette pack or a carton, standard or non-standard packaging solution, CPP Boxes is the go-to custom cigarette box manufacturer and supplier. We have an endless variety of custom-printed cigarette boxes, packs, and cartons at wholesale prices. Feel free to reach out to us at 888-395-0493 or quotes@cppboxes.com and get the advanced-quality cigarette packaging solutions right at your doorsteps within 7-9 business days with free shipping facilities.