Shipping Box Size Chart: Common Corrugated Dimensions and What Fits

Packaging Reference

A quick-reference guide to the most-used corrugated box sizes, from small cubes to moving cartons, with typical contents and edge-crush (ECT) notes. Dimensions are listed as length x width x height in inches.

Box sizes are always written L x W x H, measured as inside dimensions so your product actually fits.

Common corrugated box sizes and what fits

Grouped by shape and job. Use the smallest box that holds the item plus light cushioning, dimensions are inside measurements.

Corrugated box quick-reference. Inside dimensions in inches (L x W x H).
Size (L x W x H) Common name Typical contents
Small cubes and singles
6 x 6 x 6 Small cube Mugs, candles, small parts, jewelry boxes, cosmetics
8 x 8 x 8 Standard cube Glassware, collectibles, mid-size fragile items with padding
10 x 10 x 10 Cube Shoes, small appliances, bundled apparel, gift sets
12 x 12 x 12 Large cube Bulk office supplies, small electronics, bundled goods
Flat and rectangular
12 x 9 x 4 Flat mailer box Books, folded apparel, subscription kits, documents
12 x 9 x 6 Half-cube rectangle Apparel, boxed retail products, subscription boxes
14 x 10 x 6 Flat rectangle Framed prints, flat electronics, folded textiles
12 x 8 x 6 Small rectangle Multi-item orders, kits, hardware, canned goods
Medium
14 x 14 x 14 Medium cube Kitchenware, medium electronics, multi-pack orders
16 x 12 x 12 Medium rectangle Small appliances, boxed sets, mid-weight bundles
16 x 16 x 16 X-large cube Bulk retail, lampshades, lightweight bulky goods
18 x 18 x 18 Jumbo cube Bulky low-weight goods, bedding sets, bundled soft goods
Moving and storage cartons
18 x 18 x 24 Medium moving box General household moving, books in split loads, kitchen items
20 x 20 x 20 Large moving box Linens, pillows, lampshades, bulky lightweight items
24 x 18 x 24 Large moving carton Bulky low-density items, mixed household goods
A note on ECT (Edge Crush Test): ECT measures the edgewise compression strength of corrugated board. An ECT rating alone does not establish a universal contents-weight limit. Consider the box dimensions, construction, contents, cushioning, stacking and handling conditions when selecting packaging.

How to use this chart

Measure the complete item, including covers, protrusions and protective wrapping. Add the cushioning your product needs on both sides of each dimension. Compare that finished pack with the listed inside dimensions and check that the box closes without bulging. Measure the packed carton’s outside dimensions and weight when estimating delivery; inside dimensions describe fit, not the final shipping measurement.

Shop common corrugated box sizes

Measure your packed contents, including cushioning, then compare box dimensions, board grade and bundle quantity. Check the product’s fit details before ordering.

Listed box size (in) Board grade Bundle quantity Product
4 × 4 × 4 ECT-32 25-Pack 4x4x4 ECT-32 Kraft Cube Corrugated Shipping Boxes 25-Pack
SKU 444
6 × 6 × 6 ECT-32 25-Pack 6x6x6 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Cube Shipping Box 25-Pack
SKU 666
8 × 8 × 8 ECT-32 25-Pack 8x8x8 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Cube Shipping Boxes 25-Pack
SKU 888
10 × 10 × 10 ECT-32 25-Pack 10x10x10 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Shipping Boxes 25-Pack
SKU 101010
12 × 12 × 12 ECT-32 25-Pack 12x12x12 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Cube Shipping Boxes 25-Pack
SKU 121212
16 × 16 × 16 ECT-32 25-Pack 16x16x16 ECT-32 Kraft Cube Corrugated Shipping Boxes 25-Pack
SKU 161616
18 × 18 × 18 ECT-32 20-Pack 18x18x18 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Shipping Boxes 20-Pack
SKU 181818
9 × 5 × 4 ECT-32 25-Pack 9x5x4 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Shipping Boxes 25-Pack
SKU 954
12 × 9 × 4 ECT-32 25-Pack 12x9x4 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Shipping Boxes 25-Pack
SKU 1294
14 × 10 × 6 ECT-32 25-Pack 14x10x6 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Shipping Boxes 25-Pack
SKU 14106
18 × 12 × 6 ECT-32 25-Pack 18x12x6 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Shipping Boxes 25-Pack
SKU 18126
32 × 18 × 8 ECT-32 15-Pack 32x18x8 ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated Shipping Boxes 15-Pack
SKU 32188

Wide items · two depths

32 × 18 × 8 or 32 × 18 × 12: choose the depth your packed item needs

Both cartons have a 32 × 18 inch inside footprint. The taller option adds four inches of inside height; it does not add length or width. Measure the item with its protective packaging before choosing.

Inside dimensions in inches. Both products are kraft ECT-32 corrugated and contain 15 boxes per bundle.
Inside size Choose when Exact product
32 × 18 × 8 Your packed item fits the footprint and needs no more than eight inches of inside height. View SKU 32188 · 15 boxes
32 × 18 × 12 The packed item fits the same footprint but needs more height. Check that the extra space works with your cushioning. View SKU 321812 · 15 boxes
Count the protection, too. A 31 × 17 × 7 inch item plus ½ inch of cushioning on each opposing side totals 32 × 18 × 8 inches. That leaves no extra fit allowance. Check the assembled pack and closure; choose another size if it binds or bulges. This example shows the arithmetic, not a cushioning recommendation.

Need 30 boxes?

Order two bundles of either product: 2 × 15 = 30 boxes. Three bundles contain 45 boxes. Compare the current merchandise subtotal and delivery estimate on the exact product page, then confirm the final total in the cart and checkout.

See bundle quantities for boxes and 50-pack mailers →

Product specifications checked September 8, 2026. Size alone does not establish load capacity, shipping cost or suitability for fragile contents.

Shop boxes by exact size

Each size below has its own page with every in-stock construction (ECT grade, kraft or white, pack count) and live case pricing. Reordering from a Uline invoice instead? The Uline model cross-reference maps 752 S-numbers to the matching box size.

Need the complete catalog view? The full directory of sizes by dimension lists every stocked footprint.

USPS Priority Mail flat rate box sizes

Flat rate boxes are a fixed-size, fixed-price system: these are the official USPS outside dimensions:

Flat rate box Outside dimensions
Small Flat Rate Box 8 11/16" x 5 7/16" x 1 3/4"
Medium Flat Rate Box 1 (top-loading) 11 1/4" x 8 3/4" x 6"
Medium Flat Rate Box 2 (side-loading) 14" x 12" x 3 1/2"
Large Flat Rate Box 12 1/4" x 12 1/4" x 6"
Large Board Game Box 24 1/16" x 11 7/8" x 3 1/8"

Inside dimensions run slightly smaller, and flat rate only wins for dense items headed far. The full breakdown, with inside dimensions, when flat rate beats your own box, and the crossover math, is in the USPS flat rate box size guide.

Box strength: ECT grades at a glance

Match both fit and construction to the shipment. ECT-32, ECT-44 and ECT-48 describe board ratings; the number alone does not specify wall construction or guarantee a contents-weight capacity. Check the exact product and its packaging requirements. Compare the ECT-32 size chart, the ECT-44 size chart, or the ECT vs 200 lb burst test guide if your spec sheet uses the older rating.

Frequently asked questions

What sizes are USPS Priority Mail flat rate boxes?
USPS flat rate uses five fixed boxes: small (8 11/16 x 5 7/16 x 1 3/4 in), two mediums (11 1/4 x 8 3/4 x 6 in top-loading; 14 x 12 x 3 1/2 in side-loading), large (12 1/4 x 12 1/4 x 6 in), and the large board game box (24 1/16 x 11 7/8 x 3 1/8 in), all outside dimensions. Postage is fixed per box regardless of weight up to 70 lb.
Are box sizes measured inside or outside?
Corrugated box sizes are quoted as inside dimensions (the usable interior), measured length x width x height. This is what determines whether your product fits. Outside dimensions run slightly larger because of the board thickness.
What is the most common shipping box size?
There is no single answer, but 12 x 9 x 6, 12 x 12 x 12, and 8 x 8 x 8 are among the most widely used for e-commerce because they cover apparel, general merchandise, and small fragile goods respectively.
What does L x W x H mean on a box?
Length is the longer side of the opening, width is the shorter side of the opening, and height is the depth from the opening to the base. Boxes are almost always listed in that order.
How much extra space should I leave around a product?
Use the cushioning appropriate to your product, then measure the complete packed item. Include protection on both sides of each dimension and enough fit allowance for assembly and closure. A fixed clearance is not suitable for every product.
Do I need a stronger box for a heavier item?
For heavier or denser contents, assess board grade and wall construction together with box dimensions, cushioning and handling. A higher ECT number or larger box alone does not establish suitability; check the exact product and test the packed shipment where needed.

Find the right box

Match your dimensions to the collections below.

Shipping small, flat, or lightweight items instead? A bubble mailer or poly mailer may cost and weigh less than a box.

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Dimensions and use cases are general industry references for planning purposes; confirm exact interior measurements against the specific box you order.