What Size Box for Picture Frames? Frame Size to Box Size Chart
Measure the frame's outside edges, add 2 inches to each, and buy a box 3 to 5 inches deep: an 8 x 10 frame takes a 14 x 12 x 3 box, an 11 x 14 takes 18 x 16 x 4, and a 16 x 20 takes 24 x 20 x 4. The chart does this for 14 frame sizes with the stocked box for each, the telescoping mirror boxes for large art, corner protectors, and what the box costs to ship.
Frame size to box size
A picture frame box needs three things: an inside length and width about 2 inches larger than the frame's outside dimensions, so corner protectors and a layer of bubble fit without pressing on the glass; a depth of 3 to 5 inches so the frame lies flat with padding on both faces; and board that will not flex across the glass, which for anything over 16 x 20 means double wall or a telescoping two-piece box. The table works from the art size most people know to the frame's outside size and the stocked box that fits it.
| Art size (in) | Typical frame outside size | Box inside size needed (in) | Stocked box | L + G of the box | Carrier line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 6 | 6 x 8 | 10 x 8 x 3 to 5 | 10 x 8 x 4, 10 x 8 x 3 | 35 in | No length line |
| 5 x 7 | 7 x 9 | 11 x 9 x 3 to 5 | 11 x 9 x 6, 12 x 9 x 4 | 42 in | No length line |
| 8 x 10 | 10 x 12 | 14 x 12 x 3 to 5 | 14 x 12 x 4, 14 x 12 x 3 | 47 in | No length line |
| 8.5 x 11 (document) | 11 x 13 | 15 x 13 x 3 to 5 | 16 x 14 x 4, 15 x 15 x 4 | 53 in | No length line |
| 11 x 14 | 13 x 16 | 18 x 15 x 3 to 5 | 18 x 16 x 4, 18 x 16 x 6 | 59 in | No length line |
| 12 x 16 | 14 x 18 | 20 x 16 x 3 to 5 | 20 x 16 x 4, 20 x 16 x 6 | 61 in | No length line |
| 16 x 20 | 18 x 22 | 24 x 20 x 3 to 5 | 24 x 20 x 4, 24 x 20 x 6 | 73 in | Over 22 in (USPS nonstandard) |
| 18 x 24 | 20 x 26 | 28 x 22 x 3 to 5 | 28 x 24 x 6 | 89 in | Over 22 in (USPS nonstandard) |
| 20 x 24 | 22 x 26 | 28 x 24 x 3 to 5 | 28 x 24 x 6, 28 x 28 x 6 | 89 in | Over 22 in (USPS nonstandard) |
| 20 x 30 | 22 x 32 | 34 x 24 x 3 to 5 | 36 x 24 x 4, 36 x 24 x 6 | 93 in | Over 30 in (USPS nonstandard) |
| 24 x 30 | 26 x 32 | 34 x 28 x 3 to 5 | 30 x 40 x 3.5 telescoping mirror box | 108 in | Over 108 in L+G (USPS oversized; UPS/FedEx Large Package from 130) |
| 24 x 36 | 26 x 38 | 40 x 28 x 3 to 5 | 30 x 40 x 3.5 telescoping mirror box | 108 in | Over 108 in L+G (USPS oversized; UPS/FedEx Large Package from 130) |
| 30 x 40 | 32 x 42 | 44 x 34 x 3 to 5 | 40 x 60 x 3.5 telescoping mirror box | 168 in | Over 130 in L+G: freight, not parcel |
| 36 x 48 | 38 x 50 | 52 x 40 x 3 to 5 | 40 x 60 x 3.5 telescoping mirror box | 168 in | Over 130 in L+G: freight, not parcel |
Sizes are inside dimensions of the box. When the frame falls between two stocked sizes, take the larger one and fill the gap with crumpled kraft paper, not air: a frame that can slide hits the box wall at the corner, which is where glass breaks. The box size chart lists every stocked flat size if the frame is an odd shape, and the box styles page explains why a telescoping box carries large art better than a single flat carton.
Large frames and mirrors: telescoping boxes
Above about 24 x 36 a single flat box is hard to find and easy to bend. Mirror boxes are sold as four-piece sets: two L-shaped halves slide into each other to make one box, and the overlap adjusts to the frame, so a 30 x 40 set covers frames from roughly 20 x 30 up to 30 x 40 and gives a double wall of board on the faces where the halves overlap.
| Mirror and picture box | Size (in) | Price | Construction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30x40x3.5" ECT-32 Mirror Boxes | 30 x 40 x 3.5 | $13.23 | Four-piece telescoping; two halves per box, each adjusts to the frame |
| 40x60x3.5 Mirror Boxes ECT-32 Kraft Corrugated | 40 x 60 x 3.5 | $15.67 | Four-piece telescoping; two halves per box, each adjusts to the frame |
| 37x3.75x30.75 ECT-32 Kraft Inner Mirror Box | 37 x 3.75 x 30.75 | $75.11 | Single box; pair with the matching inner or outer on the product page |
| 37 5/16x4 1/16x31 ECT-32 Mirror Box | See product | $87.18 | Single box; pair with the matching inner or outer on the product page |
For a frame that exceeds 36 x 48 outside, or for glass over 1/4 inch thick, use the freight lane: a crate or a double wall box strapped to a pallet, and the carrier limits page explains why parcel carriers stop at 108 and 130 inches of length plus girth.
Corner protectors
Corrugated frame protectors slide onto each corner and hold the frame off the box walls; they are the difference between a frame arriving with chipped corners and one arriving intact. Size them to the moulding depth.
| Corner protector | Fits frame moulding | Case |
|---|---|---|
| 4x4" ECT-32 Corrugated Frame Protectors | Up to about 3 in deep moulding | $102.83 |
| 3.25x3.25" ECT-32 Corrugated Frame Protectors | Up to about 2.5 in deep moulding | $111.84 |
Packing a frame for parcel shipping
- Protect the glass face. Tape an X of painter's tape across the glass, or better, cut a sheet of cardboard to the glass size and tape it over the front. If the glass breaks, the tape keeps the shards off the artwork.
- Wrap. One layer of kraft paper against the frame, then bubble (3/16 in for small frames, 1/2 in for frames over 16 x 20) wrapped fully around with the seam on the back.
- Corners. Slide a corner protector onto each corner over the bubble.
- Box. Place the frame face down on 1 inch of padding, fill the sides with crumpled kraft paper until nothing moves, add 1 inch of padding on top and close. The packed frame should not shift when the box is shaken.
- Mark it. Fragile and glass labels on two faces and an arrow-up marking; carriers do not promise to honor them but sorters do read them.
What the box costs to ship
Frames are light for their size, so dimensional weight, not actual weight, sets the parcel price. A 20 x 16 x 4 box is 1,280 cubic inches, 9.2 lb billable at divisor 139 at all three carriers; a 28 x 22 x 4 box is 2,464 cubic inches and 17.7 lb billable. USPS adds a nonstandard fee when the longest side passes 22 inches and a larger one past 30 inches, which is most frames above 16 x 20; the dimensional weight chart has the figures for every stocked size. For prints without glass, rolling into a mailing tube is usually the cheaper shipment.
Shop shipping boxesBubble wrap and cushioningEdge and corner protectors
Frequently asked questions
What size box do I need for an 8x10 picture frame?
An 8 x 10 frame is about 10 x 12 outside, so a 14 x 12 x 3 or 14 x 12 x 4 box gives the inch of clearance per side for corner protectors and bubble wrap.
What size box fits an 11x14 frame?
About 13 x 16 outside, so an 18 x 16 x 4 or 18 x 18 x 4 box. Use 3/16 inch bubble and corner protectors; the frame should not move when the box is shaken.
What box do I use for a 16x20 frame?
About 18 x 22 outside, so a 24 x 20 x 4 or 20 x 20 x 4 box. Above this size the longest side passes 22 inches and USPS adds a nonstandard fee; compare UPS or FedEx Ground, which do not add handling until 48 inches.
How do I ship a 24x36 picture frame?
In a telescoping mirror box, 30 x 40 x 3.5, with corner protectors and 1/2 inch bubble. The box is just over 108 inches length plus girth, which is USPS oversized pricing; UPS and FedEx price it on dimensional weight. For glass over 1/4 inch thick use freight.
Should I ship a picture frame face down?
Yes. Place the frame glass side down on an inch of padding so the glass rests on cushioning, not on the lid seam, and mark the top of the box with arrows.