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How Do You Measure A Box? Dimensions | LxWxH

how to measure a box
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How Do You Measure A Box? Dimensions | LxWxH

To get the right box size, you first need to measure the length, width, and height of the box. Most packaging companies use this order, like Length x Width x Height (LxWxH) or Length x Width x Depth (LxWxH).

The dimensions of the box play a very important role in packaging because if we do not give the correct measurements, it will damage the texture of the product. 

For example, we are getting a cereal box and we did not measure the box properly, which is why, due to the wrong measurement of the box . It will ruin the texture of the cereal and break it.

Many people make mistakes while measuring a box. After reading this blog, I hope you won’t repeat them. In this, you will get clear answers to many questions, such as: how to read the dimensions of a box or how do you measure a box for shipping. Let’s walk through how do you measure a box.

Step-by-step guide on which side you should measure first 

When you are measuring a box dimensions, you should know which dimensions are used to measure the box. Before measuring the dimensions of a box, you should know about these 3 dimensions. These dimensions are known as length, width height of the box.

To measure any box, the standard order used is length, width, and height. But many packaging companies use the word depth instead of height. So the order of Length x Width x Depth (LxWxD) and Length x Width x Height (LxWxH) is both correct and the same.

Moving forward, how do you measure a box, or what is the height, width, and length of a box?

Length

When you look at a box from the top view, the longest side you see that called the length of the box. It is very important that when you want to properly know how do you measure a box.

You should hold the measuring tape horizontally and measure it from the left side to the right side.

Width 

Width is the second important dimension when measuring a box. If you want to measure the width of a box, you will identify which side is the smallest. The shortest side of the box is called the width of the box.

To find the width of a box, its measurement is taken from front to back.

Height 

Height is known as the depth of box. Height is perpendicular to the length of the box and is measured from top to bottom.

Tools required to measure the dimensions of the box 

Most people ask how do you  measure a box?. First, you should have some equipment while measuring the box. Then you can measure the box in the correct way. Before starting box measurement, it is important to keep all the tools with you. We have some tools that will help you measure the box dimensions.

Ruler or measuring tape: A Ruler or measuring tape is are very effective way to measure a box. Tape is mostly preferred for large boxes. 

Tape is best for small-sized boxes. It is best for small measurements. You can use length, width height in inches and centimeters.

String: String is the best way to measure irregular-shaped items. The string is placed on the irregular-shaped items.

 Then you can use the measuring tape on the string and easily get the dimensions of the box.

Straight edge: A straight edge is like a ruler or a piece of cardboard. It is for irregular-shaped objects. It provides straight lines so you can easily measure the length, width, and height of a box.

Place the straight edge tool from one edge to the opposite edge of the box. Then use the measuring tape to take the readings.

How to calculate the girth of the box 

If you want to know how do you measure a box, you should also know how to get the girth of the box.

To find the girth of the box, you add the width and the height together. For example, if the width is 5 inches and the height is 10 inches.

  • First step is to add the width and height of the box.

                   5″ + 10″ = 15″

  • The second step is to multiply the sum answer.

                  15″ x 2 = 30″

Now you will get the girth of the box, which is 30″

How do you measure the volume of a box?

If you want to know the box measurement formula to get the volume. You can multiply length, width, and depth, or length, width, and height are the same thing.

If you want to get accurate box dimensions, it is necessary to calculate the values by using this formula. You will get the measurement of volume in cubic centimeters.

(LxWxH)=Volume 

For example, if you calculate the measurement of cigarette boxes through this formula, you will get an absolute measurement of cigarette boxes. It also maintains the structure and shelf life of the cigarettes.

I recommend that if you want to avoid any kind of mistakes, and want to make an ideal box for your product. Use the above formula to find box dimensions and then forward it to the packaging industry.

If you are not an expert in calculation and are very weak in mathematics. There are many online tools available that can give you the volume within seconds. You can get the volume according to the length and width, and height of the box.

To measure external and internal dimensions: what not to do

 People often make the mistake of measuring a box. They ask whether it is correct to measure from the exterior side or the interior side. Much confusion comes how to measure a box dimensions.

For example, if we talk about a shoe box that is made of corrugated material. If you are taking its exterior measurement, the corrugated sheet will already be thick from the inside. It will damage the shoe due to the wrong shoe box dimesnions.

If you make a box according to this length, width, and height, your shoe will get stuck inside. It will damage the shape of the shoe and also have a negative impact on the brand. It is also possible that the box will break; it will not last long at all.

How do you measure a box Dimensions for Every Box Shape?

Many people want to know how to measure a box ? They also want to know how to measure different styles of boxes, like rectangular, triangular, cylindrical, or even irregular-shaped boxes, to get accurate width length height.

Boxes come in different shapes. Here I will tell you how to get the dimensions of the box.

Measure the dimensions of a Rectangular box

Rectangular boxes are also used for shoe boxes. If you want to know how to measure a rectangular box, it is given below:

  1. First, you have to find the longest side, which is called the length. 
  2. The second step is to measure the width of the bo,x which is called the shorter side.
  3. Then the last step is to measure the height from top to bottom.
  4. If you want ot know the volume so there is the simple box measurement formula that is (LxWxH).

Measure the dimensions of the triangular box 

It is more difficult to find the dimensions of a triangular box than a square or rectangular box. When finding triangle boxes, their length, width, and height are all different.

Let’s talk about how do you measure a box of a triangle tray lid:

Measure the length and width of the triangular box:

First, we have to find the length and width from the area of its base.

Measure the height of the triangular box:

Then we have to measure its height from top to bottom.

Calculate the volume of the box

If you want to find the volume of a triangular box, it is different from a rectangular one.Use this volume formula
                                  Volume= 1/2×base area×height.

Measure the dimensions of a cylindrical box 

It is not necessary that you will always get square or rectangular boxes. So, it is important to know how do you measure a box of cylindrical shape. 

When we measure cylindrical objects or boxes, their length and width are usually the same. But their height is different because of their cylindrical shape.

To measure the height or depth of a box, you have to measure it from top to bottom. If you want to know the formula for cylindrical boxes, it is given below:

Volume = π × Radius² × Height

Top mistakes to avoid while measuring boxes 

There are a few mistakes you do, so many question arises regarding how do you measure a box. Let’s talk about the mistakes so that after knowing them you can measure the box correctly.

  • Many of you forget to place the box on a flat surface while measuring the length, width, and height of the box. This reason it make the inaccurate measurements of the box.
  • The second most important mistake is taking exterior dimensions instead of interior dimensions. which has an effect on the length, width, and height.
  • If someone is using a zero caliper for measurement, they do not set it to zero first, which causes errors in their measurements.

How to Measure Box Dimensions for Every Style

Now we are moving towards how do you measure a box of different styles. We have different styles of boxes, such as mailer boxes, gable boxes, display boxes, two-piece boxes, and tuck boxes.

How to measure Mailer boxes?

Mailer boxes are made of corrugated cardboard and corrugated material. It consists of two liner boards with a wavy flute in between. 

These boxes are used for shipping and come in different types, such as single wall and double wall.


You want to know how do you measure a mailer box? Here are some main steps:

  1.  Mailer boxes come in rectangular or cube-shaped. To measure them, first measure the longest side that is length.
  2. To measure the shortest side from left to right side the box is called the width.
  3. For measuring the height of the box, take measurements from top to bottom.

How to measure Gable boxes?

Gable boxes comes in square, rectangular, and gable-like shapes. It has top interlock flaps that form a handle. It is available in cardboard, corrugated, or kraft material.

If you want to send a gift, you can use a gable box. But the question comes in mind that how do you measure a box?

  1. Length is measured from left to right side of the box.
  2. The width of the box is measured from front to back.
  3. Gable height is measured from top to bottom, but the top and handle area are not counted.

Calculate the volume: Multiply the three sides’ length, width height box

How to measure Display boxes?

Display boxes are made from cardboard or corrugated material. They are open from one side, which helps in high product visibility. You may want to know how do you  measure a box dimensions?

Calculate the length or height or width of the box

  • The dimension order of this box is also the same; just measure the length, width, and height first.
  • If you multiply all its measurements, you will get its volume

How to measure two-piece boxes?

Two-piece boxes have separate bases and lids. These are used for shoe boxes or jewelry boxes. If you want to gift a perfume, you can use these in perfume boxes as well. These come in kraft cardboard, corrugated, and rigid material.

How do you measure a box?

You have to measure it from every side: length, widt,h or height in cm

Thickness of the material: It’s best to measure a box from the inside. For corrugated boxes, make sure to measure the inside dimensions.

Calculate the volume: Length x Width x Height

How to measure Tuck boxes?

The tuck boxes have flaps, and they comes in a rectangular shape. It comes with lids. Its lids are on the top side and also on the bottom, which prevents products from falling and provides double protection. It comes in cardboard, corrugated, or kraft material.

If we talk about a rectangular box the longest side of the box is called the length. The width and height of the box are shorter in comparison with the length.

For measuring the box dimension: First, find the length, width, and height of the box.
Calculate the volume: Multiply these three sides 

How do you measure the box with inserts and compartments?

If you are measuring a box with inserts or compartments, and you are thinking how do you measure a box?

Remove the compartments and inserts present inside the box. It is recommended to measure the interior dimensions of the box. Then move towards the exterior dimension of the box. This will help you estimate the margin.

For measuring boxes, you need to follow the simple steps:

Length: The Longest side of the box and measured from one edge to the other edge of the box.

Width: It is the shorter side and measured from left to right side of the box.

Height: Height is measured from the top to the bottom of the box. If a box has flaps, they are closed before measuring the box. The measurement is always perpendicular to the base of the box.

Why Is Measuring Box Dimensions Crucial for Shipping and Packaging?

If you measure the box in the correct  way so you will get the box according to your requirements. When box is not measured in the best way.You may get a bigger box that get more space in storage. 

Shipping cost is mainly decided based on the size of the box and the delivery location. So if you want to avoid overpaying for shipping, measure the box accurately.

If you measure the box according to the product, then you will get the box according to your requirements. The product will not be damaged. This thing also saves your waste during packaging.

How does measuring the box reduce the shipping cost?

To measure shipping cost, how do you measure a box, also affects it.

If you measure the box correctly, for example, if your box size is small, it will require less storage space. Due to less storage space, the shipping cost according to the dimensions of the package will automatically reduce.

That’s why it is necessary to properly measure each side of the box, such as length, width, and height, so that there are no changes in size during the measurement of the box.

Final Words

I hope you have found the answer to this. How to measure dimensions of a box for shipping, and how do you measure a box? You must have understood the importance of measuring box dimensions and how different styles of boxes are measured. If you want to be more specific we also offer different guides that you also want to check.

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