How to Accurately Measure the Custom Box Dimensions?

Every product has a specific size and features. That’s why professional suppliers have come up with an endless variety of customized packaging solutions that fit best a wide variety of product types and sizes. However, choosing the correct-sized custom box dimensions is essential to ensure the product’s integrity during display or shipping. This helps brands provide high-quality products every time and build a firm trust among buyers that can ultimately boost their product’s sales and profitability.

So, what are you waiting for? Let’s explore the typical box dimensions and learn how to measure a box. Scroll down this quick and detailed guide and find out all the measuring dimensions of a custom box that forms a precise, sturdy, and accurate custom-printed box.

What are Typical Box Dimensions & How to Read them?

Typical box dimensions greatly vary depending on the box type, feature, and usage. In the packaging industry, mm and inches are preferably used to measure box dimensions, such as length, width, height, or depth. Let’s give a quick read to all the standard box dimensions that must be accurately measured to design a perfect-fitting custom box:

Length of a Box:

It’s the longest side of the custom packaging box that defines the base orientation of the box. Represented as “L”, a box’s length is usually measured from one longer side to another.

Width of a Box:

Perpendicular to the box’s length, the width is defined as the shorter side of the base. After length, width is the major dimension that defines the perfect sizing and shape of custom-printed packaging boxes. It ensures a lateral space around the packaged product.

Height/Depth of a Box:

It’s the vertical dimension from the base to the top of the packaging box. Properly heighted box, designed according to the packaged item’s dimensions, ensures proper clearance, especially for the lid-style packaging boxes.

Volume of a Box:

Defined as the amount of 3D space enclosed within a packaging solution, a box’s volume is measured by multiplying length, width, and height, such as L × W × H. It’s typically measured in cubic units, including cubic inches, cubic centimeters, or liters.

The following are some of the recommended typical dimensions for various-sized custom packaging boxes. Fluctuations are expected as per the product’s needs and demands:

Some World-Famous Box Dimensions Examples – A Look at Different Box Sizes

Here’s a brief overview of all the most common and famous custom packaging solutions with their recommended dimensions:
 

How to Measure a Box’s Dimensions? A Step-by-Step Process

“How to measure the dimensions of a box?” It’s the most common question, often asked by brands or individuals while purchasing custom-printed packaging boxes. For convenience, we have broken down the detailed measuring process in simple steps. Before reading out the step-wise measuring process, check out the following measuring tools that you need for the accurate measurement of custom boxes:

Measuring Tools to Find Out the Accurate Dimensions of Custom Boxes:

Measuring tape: A flexible and precise tool that measures the box’s length, width, and height in inches/cm.

Ruler/Scale: It is preferred to measure smaller boxes or detailed box parts in mm/in.

Digital caliper: Ideally used to measure very precise internal/external distances and material thicknesses.

Box dimension tool: It’s a special L-shaped box ruler or folding tool to easily measure the packaging.

Triangle or set square: Used for checking box structure, this measuring tool ensures right angles or box squareness.

Laser distance measurer: It’s a fast and accurate measuring tool, recommended for large shipping crates or bulk purchasing.

Notebook/ digital app: They are required to keep records of the measurements.

Step-by-Step Box Measuring Process

Let’s find out the exact box dimensions by following the simple steps given below:

Open the Box & Visualize the Inside:

First, lay out the products on a flat surface and measure their sizes. Then, open the box and visualize its interior to make an accurate assessment of whether the box is suitable for your product’s packaging or not.

Measure Internal Box Dimensions:

Consider the box’s internal dimensions, despite the box’s thickness, to ensure the accurate measurement of the box’s dimensions, such as length, width, height, and volume. Use a measuring tape or ruler to find out the box’s internal measurements and jot down the measurements in a notebook or a digital app. Here’s how you’ll measure the box’s length, width, height, and volume:

Measure the Length of the Box:

Take the inside edge of the box, from left to right, along the bottom of the custom packaging box. Choose the side with a flap. Use a measuring tape or a ruler, and place it flat against the inner wall of the box. Here is a key to remember that if you have a book-style or a clamshell packaging solution, then the opening flap always runs along the box’s length. After measuring, if you get a 10-inch internal base from left to right, then the exact length of the custom box will be 10 inches.

Measure the Width of the Box:

For the box’s accurate width measurement, place the box in an upright position. Consider the inside edge from the front to the back direction of the box’s base. Pick up the side that’s 90° to the length of the box’s base. For example, if the inside from front to back is 6 inches, it means the overall box’s width is 6 inches in measurement.

Measure the Height of the Box:

To measure a box’s height or depth, consider the inside wall and measure from the bottom to the top edge. For accurate measurements, place the box on a flat surface and measure from the inner base straight up to the open top. In case of tuck-top or custom lid boxes, measure from the box’s bottom to the top edge of the side panel. For instance, if the vertical inner side wall is 4 inches tall, the box’s overall height will be considered 4 inches.

Calculate the Total Volume:

Once the box’s length, width, and height are calculated, obtain its volume by multiplying all these dimensions (L × W × H) and get the accurate box capacity to hold a specific weight of items. Volume estimation is compulsory to have a correct shipping cost analysis, filler material calculation, and space optimization. Typically, the box’s volume is measured in cubic inches, centimeters, and liters.

Make sure to follow the order of measuring custom box dimensions in such a way that length is measured first, then width, and then height. After calculating these primary dimensions, calculate the total volume.

Measure Additional Dimensions for the Accurate Box Sizing & Shaping:

After calculating the box’s basic dimensions, consider measuring the following dimensions for more accurate results:

• Flap dimensions
• Lid or closure dimensions
• Material thickness
• External dimensions

Flap Dimensions Calculation:

Measure the exact sizes of tuck or dust flaps, often present in different box types, to ensure a safe box closure. Usually, 1 or 2 such flaps are present in a box, depending on the box size. Custom tuck top and mailer boxes are some of the most common examples where flap dimensions calculation is compulsory.

Measure Lid or Closure Dimensions:

Many custom boxes are available with hinged lids, magnetic closures, or fold-over flaps. For such boxes, you must include extra space or panel length for accurate measurements. The best way is to first measure the lid overlap or fold-over lines separately on a dieline and then add them to the other calculated box dimensions.

Find Out Material Thickness:

Considering material thickness is crucial to find out the overall shipping volume of a packaging box. Different materials have variable thicknesses. Therefore, calculate the material thickness and opt for the packaging box with enough strength to perfectly hold and ship your desired number of products.

External Box Dimensions:

Though the box’s internal dimensions mean a lot in calculating the exact dimensions, measuring external box dimensions is also essential to ensure a best-fit packaging for your valuable products. External box dimensions are generally measured by adding the material thickness to each dimension twice (once per side).

Round & Adjust Measurements:

Round up the box slightly and check out for product wiggle room, space for packaging inserts or padding, and ease of product removal. This ensures you a comfortable packaging for the storage, display, and shipping of your valuable products.

Record the Measurements in Standard Units:

After making the required measurement adjustments, write down the box’s dimensions in a physical notebook or a digital application. Jot down these measurements in standard units, such as inches, cm, or mm.

Add Tolerances if Needed:

At last, add extra spaces depending on the material thickness, product protection, shipping movement, and other such features.

How to Figure Out the Dimensions of a Box Digitally?

Here are some simple steps to determine the custom box dimensions digitally:

• First, determine the input source from which you have to measure the box’s dimensions. The common sources are CAD/Dieline files (PDF, AI, DXF), 3D models, online box builders, or packaging design tools.
• Then use the right digital tool to find out the correct box dimensions. For example, Vector/Dieline Viewer is ideally used for AI files, Inkscape, and other such artwork files. 3D Modeling Software is a great option for files in Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Sketchup, and other such software.
• Open the dieline file and Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape. Use the Measure Tool (Shift + M) or the Transform Panel.
• Measure internal dimensions between cut/fold lines, such as the length (longest horizontal panel), width (shorter side adjacent to length), and height (side panel that folds vertically upward). Set rulers to mm or inches and align to the artboard for accuracy.
• For a 3D model, open the model in CAD software. Use the “Measure Distance” or “Inspect Tool”. Click between interior surfaces to get length across the X-axis, width along the Y-axis, and height across the Z-axis.
• In the case of online packaging platforms, choose from the specific box type, such as mailer, shipping, tuck-end, or any other custom box shape and size. Input or drag-resize the Length × Width × Height fields.
• Use the live 3D preview to verify and add properties.
• Record L ×W ×H in a spreadsheet or a spec sheet. Save these 3D previews or diagrams in PDF files for your supplier. Make special notes for the internal and external dimensions along with the bleed, glue, flap, and closure areas.

Some Vital Tips to Find the Accurate Measurements of Custom-Printed Boxes

The following are some of the most vital tips that you must not overlook while measuring the custom box dimensions. They ensure an accurate sizing of bespoke boxes. Let’s have a look at them:

• Always measure the internal dimensions to ensure how well your products fit inside the box.
• Measure according to the correct order. The standard industrial format is length at first, then width, and then height.
• Use precise and accurate measuring tools. Always go with the recommended options, such as measuring tape, metal rulers, digital calipers, 3D CAD software, or dieline viewers.
• Professionally account for material thickness, especially in corrugated or rigid packaging. For standard corrugated board, the material thickness is 1/8 inch or 3mm. Rigid chipboard accounts for ~1.5 to 3 mm thickness.
• Add some clearance or tolerance for the product’s perfect fit. Never construct the box the exact same size as the product. Add at least 3-5 mm buffer on all sides. In case of foam, inserts, or inner packaging, add more buffer if needed.
• Always measure the product first and then design the box. Measure the length, width, and height of the actual item. Consider additional factors as well that are involved in wrapping or inserts, such as bubble wraps, trays, cloth pouches, and many more factors.
• Double-check the units used in measuring the box’s dimensions.
• Use requisite online tools or packaging designs if needed.
• Bonus tip is that always communicate clearly with your packaging vendors and let them know what exact internal and external dimensions you want for your packaging boxes.

Final Words

Do you want the accurately-sized custom-printed packaging boxes for the storage, display, and shipping of your valuable products? Turn to CPP Boxes, your trusted partner for an endless variety of custom packaging boxes, available in all sizes. Visit our official website to get an instant quote or directly contact us at 888-395-0493 or quotes@cppboxes.com to share your custom box size requirements and stand out with precise product packaging on the store’s shelves.