The measurement of a shipping box is of vital importance. To give you a little bit of context, when shipping an item or multiple products, the space they occupy matters the most. This is because the cost of shipping is based primarily on these two elements.

Aside from the cost, there is another reason behind the accurate measurement of these boxes, and that is goods safety. When the packaging fits the items perfectly, it ensures their safety by keeping them in place, especially the fragile ones. This is why cheap shipping boxes are the go-to choice of many businesses to ship their products. Now that you understand the importance of accurate measurements and their effect on your cost and item safety, let’s take a look at how you can measure a box for shipping your goods.

What are Cheap Shipping Boxes?

Before we start with the main topic, let us take a brief look at what shipping boxes are. As the name suggests, these boxes are designed to meet specific shipping needs for products. A variety of materials can be used to make the packaging; however, the choice of material depends on how heavy or fragile the product is.

Aside from the enhanced safety of goods, these boxes offer various other benefits that standard ones don’t. These include a snug fit, material efficiency, cost-efficiency, and sustainability. As for how many types of boxes are there? There are a couple of types, which include:

• Corrugated
• Mailer

Each type is suitable for a certain product. For heavy items, corrugated is the ideal box and it has a few sub-types of its own, including Four Panel and Double Wall boxes. For normal to lightweight items, mailer is the perfect choice.

How to Measure Dimensions of the Shipping Box?

Now that we understand what shipping boxes are, let us get on with the main topic of discussion. It is not rocket science; you just need simple tools and a basic grasp of math. Here we will explain step-by-step how to measure the dimensions of shipping boxes:

Required Tools

Of course, you’ll need a few tools at your disposal for an accurate measurement, as they can make the process much easier. Knowing the precise dimensions is essential for efficient shipping, which means more products shipped at a low cost. The following is the equipment that businesses will need to measure the shipping box:

• Measuring Tape: Frankly, it is a common household item that people use to measure all kinds of things. So, why not use it for shipping packaging? The tape more often than not ranges between 10 - 25 feet. It is simple to use and can be maneuvered easily around the corners and edges due to its flexibility. On top of that, it offers measurements in both inches and centimeters, which makes it quite versatile. However, the tape can be a bit inaccurate if not held taut.
• Ruler: Don’t think this one needs much of an explanation. It is a rigid measuring tool that is usually 12 inches long, which is ideally used to measure small boxes. The ruler offers great accuracy for straight edges but can be less useful where flexibility is needed.
• Digital Scale: The shipping box has its own weight, which adds up to the cost. As stated, the weight of the items shipped is a factor that decides the cost. This is why you need a digital scale that provides accurate weight measurements, with a capacity ranging from a few ounces to several hundred pounds.
• Caliper (optional): While it is optional, it has its uses if you want precise measurements, down to decimal points. However, it can be a bit complex to use for those who are unfamiliar with it. As for what it does, it measures the distance between the two opposite sides of an object. In this case, it is used for measuring the thickness of the box.

Step-By-Step Guide to Measuring a Box

Pick up the instrument of your choice, and let’s start with our guide on how to accurately measure a box.

Pick the right surface

It is vital that the surface where users place the box to measure is a flat and stable one. Something like a table or floor. Make sure there is no clutter, so you can measure the box easily. The reason we recommend a flat surface is that the box will be stable and won’t wobble, which will result in accurate measurements.

Measure Length, Width, & Height:

These are the three dimensions that need to be measured in order to discern which type of product it can fit. Some companies use depth and height interchangeably, but the industry standard remains the same in either case, which is Length x Width x Height (Depth).

Length is the longest side of the packaging, width is the short side perpendicular to the length, and height is the vertical dimension that is measured from the base of the box to its top. Take out the measuring tape and note down each dimension as you measure it.

If the box has flaps, then include them while measuring the length and width, if applicable. This will give you an accurate number. As for the height, hold the tape vertically from the bottom to the top and make sure it is straight. After that, double-check each measurement.

Now, it is time to calculate the area of the box, which will give a better idea of how well the item will fit in the box. For example, knowing the volume of shoe boxes will give an accurate idea about which footwear size can be packed in them. As for how to measure it, it is very simple, all you need are the values for length, width, and height that you just measured. Multiply the three values, and you’ll get the volume in cubic centimeters. Here is the formula for it:

Length x Width x Depth = Volume

Additional Tips:

Irregular Shaped Packaging

When measuring a box for shipping, there’s more to consider. The steps cover the standard rectangular or square boxes. If you have odd-shaped packaging, like a tube or a custom design, you’ll have to identify the longest and widest points to get those dimensions right. And if you’re dealing with round boxes, flexible tape is your best friend. Wrap it around to find the diameter, then measure straight up for height.

Material Impact

The material used has an impact on the measurement. If you are measuring the values externally, the result can be a bit off compared to the actual one. To give you an example, if the box is made with a thick material like corrugated stock, the values will be quite off, as its thickness will add a couple of millimeters to the measurements.

This is why we use Caliper to measure the thickness of the material and subtract from the values for a more accurate volume. Alternatively, you can measure the box internally, which will also give accurate results.

There are two reasons to be this careful when measuring the box for shipping, item safety and shipping cost. If the measurements are accurate with the thickness of the material taken into account, it will leave minimal room for movement. The box will be a snug fit, and the product will be safe during transit.

Shipping Regulations and Limits

Shipping isn’t just about tossing a box in the mail; there are specific rules you need to know. Each carrier, like USPS, FedEx, and UPS, has its own size and weight limits, and those can change depending on the service you choose. You don’t want to be caught off guard with extra fees or a package that gets turned away.

Then there’s the whole dimensional weight pricing thing. It’s a bit tricky. Carriers will sometimes charge based on the size of the package rather than just its actual weight. So, if you’ve got a big, light box, expect to pay more because of its dimensions. They use a formula that calculates this, dividing the volume by a certain number. Knowing this can really help you save money.

Conclusion

There you have it, a step-by-step guide on how to measure a box for shipping. The procedure we have described here will ensure that you find the accurate dimensions of the packaging. If you want durable packaging that ensures your goods arrive in pristine condition at your buyer’s doorstep, then checkout shipping boxes from CPP Boxes. We not only offer affordable and customizable packaging but also free shipping and design support. Our expert analyst can help you with the design and measurements of the packaging. On top of that, we charge wholesale rates even for small orders, and our minimum booking requirement is just 100 units.