Box Size Finder
Enter your item's longest dimension and use case below, then jump to the matching Packrift stock box. No account setup, no minimums beyond the listed bundle size.
All sizes below are interior dimensions in inches (length x width x depth). Add 1–2 inches per side for cushioning when packing fragile items.
Pick a box by what you're shipping
Match item type to a box-size range, then click into the linked size page for stock and bundle quantity.
| Item type | Typical item dims (in) | Recommended box (in) | Why this size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewelry, small accessories | up to 3 x 3 x 2 | 4x4x4 or 6x6x6 | Small cube, low DIM weight, room for tissue or void fill |
| Books, paperbacks (single) | up to 9 x 6 x 1.5 | 6x8x10 | Snug fit on hardcover; minimal cushioning needed |
| Mugs, single ceramic item | up to 5 x 5 x 5 | 8x8x8 with bubble wrap | Cube allows 1.5 in cushioning all sides for fragile |
| Electronics (small device + accessories) | up to 8 x 6 x 3 | 6x8x10 or 6x9x12 | Room for cable bag and foam wrap |
| Food jars, glass bottles (single) | up to 4 x 4 x 8 | 6x6x12 or 8x8x12 | Tall fit with cushioning for upright shipping |
| Apparel, folded (1–3 pieces) | up to 12 x 9 x 3 | 6x9x12 or use a poly mailer | Non-fragile soft goods; mailer is lighter when no rigidity needed |
| Apparel, multi-piece sets | up to 14 x 10 x 4 | 8x10x12 or mailer box | Mailer box for unboxing presentation; corrugated for plain ship |
| Industrial parts, hardware | up to 10 x 8 x 6 | 12x12x12 ECT-32 | Cube absorbs uneven weight distribution; ECT-32 handles 65 lb gross |
| Documents, catalogs (flat) | up to 12 x 9 x 1 | Use a literature mailer | Flat rigid mailer keeps documents from bending; lower DIM weight |
| Subscription box (medium) | up to 12 x 9 x 4 | 12x9x4 mailer box | Tuck-flap mailer ships flat, assembles in seconds, presents well |
| Long items (yoga mat, posters) | up to 36 x 6 x 6 | 6x6x36 or 6x6x48 | Long box keeps cylindrical items from bending |
| Multi-product DTC bundle | up to 16 x 12 x 6 | 8x12x16 or 6x12x18 | Room for 3–5 SKUs plus inserts and void fill |
Pick a box by cube size
If you already know your target dimension, jump directly to the size page. Each links to ECT-32 Kraft, multi-depth, and bundle-quantity options.
| Box size (in) | Common use | Typical bundle qty |
|---|---|---|
| 4x4x4 | Small jewelry, tubes, single sample | 25 |
| 6x6x6 | Mugs (cushioned), accessories, small DTC | 25 |
| 8x8x8 | Cube cushioned single fragile, candle sets | 25 |
| 10x10x10 | Multi-item bundles, ceramic with foam | 25 |
| 12x12x12 | Most-ordered cube; small electronics, gift sets | 25 |
| 14x14x14 | Mid-size DTC bundles, kitchen goods | 25 |
| 16x16x16 | Large DTC, apparel multi-set | 20 |
| 18x18x18 | Bulky lightweight goods (linens, plush) | 15 |
| 6x9x12 | Books, electronics, apparel (1–2 pcs) | 25 |
| 6x8x10 | Small electronics, single book, accessories | 25 |
| 8x10x12 | Apparel, gift sets, flat-profile items | 25 |
| 6x6x36 | Posters, yoga mats, long flat items | 25 |
How much padding to add
- Non-fragile, soft goods (apparel, plush) → 0.5 in clearance per side, no cushioning required
- Hard non-fragile (electronics in retail box, books) → 1 in clearance per side, kraft paper or air pillows
- Single fragile (mug, jar, ceramic) → 1.5 in cushioning per side, bubble wrap or foam in-place
- Multi-fragile (set of 4 glasses) → 2 in cushioning per side + dividers; consider double-wall ECT-44 if total weight exceeds 35 lb
- High-value or returnable (electronics over $200) → 2 in foam-in-place or molded foam, double-wall recommended
When to choose a long box vs a cube
Long boxes (36x6x6, 24x4x4, 30x6x6) are for items where one dimension dominates: yoga mats, posters in tubes, golf clubs, fishing rods, lampshades, framed art. A cube box of equivalent volume bills at higher dimensional weight on most carriers and leaves the long item free to shift inside.
Choose a cube (10x10x10, 12x12x12, 14x14x14) when item weight is concentrated near the center, when you're shipping multiple SKUs together, or when the contents are fragile and need uniform cushioning around all six sides.
When to use a mailer instead of a box
Mailers cost less, weigh less, and bill at lower dimensional weight. Use one when the item is flat, non-fragile, or under 1 lb.
- Documents, catalogs, lookbooks → literature mailer (rigid corrugated, flat profile)
- Apparel, soft goods, single t-shirt → poly mailer (water-resistant, lowest weight)
- Books, small electronics, low-fragile DTC → bubble mailer (lined, light cushioning)
- Subscription unboxing, gift sets → mailer box (tuck-flap, flat-pack, presents like a retail box)
Fit / not the right fit
Packrift stock boxes are a good fit if you ship from a US warehouse, want to order online by the case, and need standard ECT-32 Kraft or white corrugated in common ecommerce sizes (4x4x4 through 24x18x18).
Packrift is not the right fit for custom-printed boxes with your branding, scheduled-truckload programs, ECT-44+ heavy industrial double-wall above 24 in cube, or buyers who require account setup with NET terms. For those use cases, work with a custom packaging supplier or buy direct from a corrugated converter.
Most-ordered Packrift box pages
Related Packrift tools
FAQ
Are these dimensions interior or exterior?
All sizes on this page are interior dimensions in inches (length x width x depth). Exterior is roughly 0.25 in larger per side for ECT-32 single-wall and 0.5 in larger per side for ECT-44 double-wall.
How do I size a box for a fragile item?
Add at least 1.5 in of cushioning per side beyond the item's largest dimension. For a 5-inch ceramic mug, that means an 8x8x8 box with bubble wrap or foam-in-place. Glassware sets need 2 in per side and dividers between pieces.
What's the difference between ECT-32 and ECT-44?
ECT-32 is single-wall corrugated rated for ground shipping up to about 65 lb gross weight per box. ECT-44 is double-wall, rated for heavier industrial shipments and more stacking strength. Most ecommerce shippers use ECT-32 Kraft. Switch to ECT-44 if your gross weight exceeds 65 lb or if the box will be stacked on a pallet.
Will a smaller box save me money?
Sometimes. Carriers bill the greater of actual weight or dimensional weight (length x width x height divided by a divisor — typically 139 for domestic ground). A box that's 2 inches larger than your item in every direction can cost more than a snugger fit, even if the item weighs the same. Use the DIM weight calculator to check before you order.
Do Packrift boxes come assembled?
No. All corrugated boxes ship flat (RSC — regular slotted container) and assemble at the packing line. This keeps freight cost down and lets you store more boxes per square foot of warehouse space. Mailer boxes also ship flat and assemble in about 5 seconds with a tuck flap.
What if my item dimensions fall between two sizes?
Round up to the next stock size. A box that's slightly oversized with cushioning is safer than a box that's tight on the item. If the gap is more than 2 inches in any dimension, consider a multi-depth box (scored to fold down to multiple heights) or a smaller stock size with the item rotated to fit.
Sizes are interior dimensions in inches; bundle quantities are listed on each linked product page. Stock and warehouse availability are current as of page load. Packrift is not affiliated with Uline or any other supplier referenced in comparison pages.