Packing Peanuts Calculator Chart: Cubic Feet Per Box and Boxes Per Bag

Updated September 3, 202661 box sizes4 loose fill products

A 12 x 12 x 12 box needs about 0.7 cubic feet of packing peanuts for a 2 inch cushion on every side, so a 12 cubic foot bag fills about 17 of them. The chart gives the peanut volume at 1 inch and 2 inches of cushion for every stocked box size, how many boxes each bag size fills, the stocked loose fill and dispensers, and when paper or air pillows are the better fill.

Cubic feet of peanuts by box size

Loose fill is bought by the cubic foot and used by the box, so the useful number is how much void a given box leaves once the product is inside with a cushion around it. The chart takes each stocked box size, assumes the product fills everything except a 1 inch or 2 inch layer on all six sides, and gives the peanut volume that layer needs. Two inches is the cushion carriers expect for fragile goods; one inch is enough for sturdy items that only need to stop moving.

Cushion volume is the box volume minus the volume left for the product after 1 in or 2 in on every side. Peanuts settle about 10 percent in transit; the bag counts already assume you fill to the brim.
Box (inside, in) Inside volume (cu in) Peanuts at 1 in cushion (cu ft) Peanuts at 2 in cushion (cu ft) Boxes per bag at 2 in (7 / 12 cu ft bags) Full box (cu ft)
4 x 4 x 4 64 0.03 0.04 189 / 324 0.04
5 x 5 x 5 125 0.06 0.07 97 / 167 0.07
6 x 4 x 4 96 0.05 0.06 126 / 216 0.06
6 x 6 x 4 144 0.06 0.08 84 / 144 0.08
6 x 6 x 6 216 0.09 0.12 58 / 99 0.12
7 x 7 x 7 343 0.13 0.18 38 / 65 0.20
8 x 6 x 4 192 0.08 0.11 63 / 108 0.11
8 x 8 x 4 256 0.11 0.15 47 / 81 0.15
8 x 8 x 6 384 0.14 0.20 34 / 58 0.22
8 x 8 x 8 512 0.17 0.26 27 / 46 0.30
9 x 6 x 4 216 0.09 0.12 56 / 96 0.12
9 x 9 x 9 729 0.22 0.35 20 / 34 0.42
10 x 6 x 4 240 0.10 0.14 50 / 86 0.14
10 x 8 x 6 480 0.17 0.25 28 / 48 0.28
10 x 10 x 6 600 0.20 0.31 22 / 39 0.35
10 x 10 x 8 800 0.24 0.38 18 / 31 0.46
10 x 10 x 10 1,000 0.28 0.45 15 / 26 0.58
11 x 8 x 6 528 0.18 0.27 25 / 43 0.31
12 x 6 x 6 432 0.16 0.23 30 / 51 0.25
12 x 8 x 6 576 0.19 0.30 23 / 40 0.33
12 x 9 x 6 648 0.21 0.33 21 / 36 0.38
12 x 9 x 9 972 0.28 0.45 15 / 26 0.56
12 x 10 x 6 720 0.23 0.36 19 / 33 0.42
12 x 10 x 8 960 0.28 0.44 15 / 27 0.56
12 x 12 x 4 576 0.22 0.33 21 / 36 0.33
12 x 12 x 6 864 0.27 0.43 16 / 28 0.50
12 x 12 x 8 1,152 0.32 0.52 13 / 23 0.67
12 x 12 x 10 1,440 0.37 0.61 11 / 19 0.83
12 x 12 x 12 1,728 0.42 0.70 9 / 17 1.00
13 x 13 x 13 2,197 0.50 0.85 8 / 14 1.27
14 x 10 x 8 1,120 0.31 0.51 13 / 23 0.65
14 x 10 x 10 1,400 0.37 0.60 11 / 19 0.81
14 x 12 x 10 1,680 0.42 0.69 10 / 17 0.97
14 x 14 x 8 1,568 0.41 0.68 10 / 17 0.91
14 x 14 x 14 2,744 0.59 1.01 6 / 11 1.59
15 x 12 x 10 1,800 0.44 0.74 9 / 16 1.04
16 x 10 x 6 960 0.30 0.47 14 / 25 0.56
16 x 12 x 6 1,152 0.34 0.56 12 / 21 0.67
16 x 12 x 8 1,536 0.40 0.67 10 / 18 0.89
16 x 12 x 12 2,304 0.52 0.89 7 / 13 1.33
16 x 16 x 8 2,048 0.50 0.85 8 / 14 1.19
16 x 16 x 16 4,096 0.78 1.37 5 / 8 2.37
18 x 12 x 6 1,296 0.38 0.62 11 / 19 0.75
18 x 12 x 12 2,592 0.57 0.98 7 / 12 1.50
18 x 14 x 12 3,024 0.64 1.10 6 / 10 1.75
18 x 18 x 12 3,888 0.77 1.34 5 / 8 2.25
18 x 18 x 18 5,832 1.00 1.79 3 / 6 3.38
20 x 14 x 10 2,800 0.62 1.06 6 / 11 1.62
20 x 16 x 12 3,840 0.76 1.33 5 / 9 2.22
20 x 20 x 12 4,800 0.90 1.59 4 / 7 2.78
20 x 20 x 20 8,000 1.25 2.26 3 / 5 4.63
22 x 22 x 22 10,648 1.53 2.79 2 / 4 6.16
24 x 12 x 12 3,456 0.73 1.26 5 / 9 2.00
24 x 18 x 12 5,184 0.96 1.70 4 / 7 3.00
24 x 18 x 18 7,776 1.24 2.23 3 / 5 4.50
24 x 24 x 12 6,912 1.20 2.15 3 / 5 4.00
24 x 24 x 18 10,368 1.52 2.76 2 / 4 6.00
24 x 24 x 24 13,824 1.84 3.37 2 / 3 8.00
26 x 20 x 14 7,280 1.21 2.18 3 / 5 4.21
30 x 20 x 20 12,000 1.69 3.09 2 / 3 6.94
36 x 24 x 24 20,736 2.48 4.59 1 / 2 12.00

For a box that is not listed, multiply inside length, width and height in inches for the total volume, subtract the product's volume, and divide by 1,728 for cubic feet. Product sizes vary more than box sizes, so for a mixed bench it is faster to plan by box: at 2 inches of cushion a 12 x 12 x 12 box uses about 0.7 cubic feet, so a 12 cubic foot bag fills roughly 17 of them.

Stocked loose fill and dispensers

Loose fill Bag volume Type Price Cost per cu ft
7 cu ft Biodegradable Packing Peanuts 7 cu ft biodegradable starch $22.05 3.15
7 cu ft Packing Peanuts 7NUTSAS 7 cu ft polystyrene $24.36 3.48
7 cu ft Packing Peanuts 7NUTSW 7 cu ft polystyrene $24.36 3.48
12 cu ft Packing Peanuts 12 cu ft polystyrene $32.12 2.68
Dispenser Hopper Price
6 in Plastic Replacement Valve for Loose Fill Dispenser 1 Each see product $96.17
15 cu ft Ceiling-Mount Loose Fill Dispenser with Pulley System 15 cu ft $233.94
30 cu ft Loose Fill Dispenser 30 cu ft $282.83
90 cu ft Loose Fill Dispenser 90 cu ft $311.58
45 cu ft Loose Fill Dispenser 45 cu ft $313.18
60 cu ft Loose Fill Dispenser 60 cu ft $330.46
140 cu ft Loose Fill Dispenser 140 cu ft $435.15

Polystyrene peanuts are the lightest fill per cubic foot and do not absorb moisture; starch peanuts dissolve in water and compost but crush under heavier loads; anti-static pink peanuts are for electronics. A ceiling or floor dispenser with a 15 to 140 cubic foot hopper pays for itself on any bench filling more than a few dozen boxes a day, because bag handling is the slow part.

Peanuts vs paper vs air pillows

  • Peanuts flow around irregular shapes and are the cheapest cushioning by volume for fragile goods, but they migrate, so the item must be wrapped and the box filled to the brim.
  • Kraft paper (see the kraft paper roll chart) is heavier per cubic foot and slower to place but recycles with the box and does not shift.
  • Air pillows fill large voids fastest at almost no weight but do not cushion sharp corners.
  • Bubble wrap (see the bubble wrap size chart) wraps the item; peanuts fill around it.

Packing with loose fill

  1. Wrap the item in bubble or paper first; peanuts alone let corners find the box wall.
  2. Fill the bottom with 2 inches of peanuts, set the item in the center, then fill the sides and top.
  3. Overfill slightly and press the flaps down; peanuts settle in transit and a half-inch of slack lets the item move.
  4. Shake test. Nothing should shift when the closed box is shaken.
  5. Bag small items or use a paper liner so peanuts do not end up inside the product.

The DIM weight chart shows what the extra 2 inches of cushion costs in billable weight, and the void fill comparison puts cost per box for each material side by side.

Shop packing peanuts and void fillShop shipping boxesBulk quote

Frequently asked questions

How many cubic feet of packing peanuts do I need for a 12x12x12 box?

About 0.7 cubic feet with a 2 inch cushion on every side, or 0.4 cubic feet at 1 inch. A 12 cubic foot bag fills about 17 such boxes at 2 inches.

How many boxes does a bag of packing peanuts fill?

Divide the bag volume by the cushion volume per box: a 12 cubic foot bag fills roughly 17 boxes at 12 x 12 x 12 with 2 inches of cushion, or about 45 boxes at 8 x 8 x 8. The chart lists every stocked size.

How do I calculate packing peanuts for a box?

Multiply the box's inside length, width and height in inches, subtract the product's volume, and divide by 1,728 to get cubic feet. Add 10 percent for settling.

Are packing peanuts cheaper than paper?

Per cubic foot of void, usually yes: polystyrene peanuts cost a few dollars per cubic foot and weigh almost nothing, while kraft paper costs more per cubic foot of loose crumple and adds weight. Paper wins where recyclability or a fixed pack matters.

What are anti-static packing peanuts?

Pink polystyrene peanuts treated so they do not build a static charge, used around circuit boards and electronics. Standard white peanuts can hold a charge.

Related references

Related references