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Home / Container & Packing Fit

Shipping Box Size Calculator

Enter your item dimensions and the calculator recommends the smallest standard box that fits, with room for packing material.

Trusted across thousands of fit checks · updated daily
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“Checked my carry-on against 3 airlines before a trip. Saved me a gate-check fee.” — Frequent flyer

Measure smart

What to measure.

Four numbers decide nearly every fit check. Get these right and the rest follows.

  1. 01Item dimensions at the widest points, including any protruding parts such as handles and knobs
  2. 02Add 2" on each side for bubble wrap or packing peanuts (4" total per dimension)
  3. 03Weigh the item, because carrier box size limits are based on both dimensions and weight

Don't make these

Common mistakes.

Most “it didn't fit” stories trace back to one of these oversights.

  1. ⚠Choosing a box that barely fits. You need 2" of padding on all sides to prevent damage in transit
  2. ⚠Using an oversized box. Items shift and break during shipping if there is too much empty space
  3. ⚠Ignoring carrier dimensional weight pricing. An oversized lightweight box costs as much to ship as a heavy small one

Frequently asked

Questions we keep getting.

  • How much extra space should I leave in a shipping box?

    Add 2 inches on each side of the item (4" total per dimension). This provides room for bubble wrap, packing paper, or foam. A 10×10×10" item needs a 14×14×14" box.

    01
  • What are standard shipping box sizes?

    Common sizes: Small (12×10×6"), Medium (18×14×12"), Large (24×18×18"), Extra Large (24×20×24"). Most carriers also accept custom sizes up to 165" combined length + girth.

    02
  • What size box do I need?

    Measure the item at its widest points, add 2 in on every side for padding, and round up to the next standard box. A 10 x 10 x 10 in item needs a 14 x 14 x 14 in box. For a long rigid item, size to the longest dimension first, because that is the one that decides the box.

    03
  • How do I calculate box size?

    Take the item length, width and height at the widest points and add 4 in to each, which is 2 in of padding per side. Then pick the smallest standard box that meets or exceeds all three numbers, and check it against the carrier limit of 165 in for combined length plus girth.

    04
  • Does a bigger box cost more to ship?

    Usually yes, because carriers price on dimensional weight as well as actual weight. Dimensional weight is length times width times height divided by a carrier divisor, commonly 139 for domestic air, so an oversized lightweight box is billed as though it were heavy. Dropping one standard box size often saves more than the extra packing material costs.

    05

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Real checks people ran

Verified results for this exact item at specific dimensions — see the margin, the tilt, and the constraint that decided each one.

  • Can i fit a 4.6 x4.4x1.5 in box inside a 6x4x4 in box?
  • Can I fit a box with dimensions 47,3 cm x 42,7 cm x 18 cm in a box with dimensions 64 cm x 41 cm x 38 cm?
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