Standard cardboard box dimensions (interior, length × width × height):
| Dimension (cm) | Use |
|---|---|
| 30 × 20 × 26 | Postal / shipping, rectangular objects |
| 40 × 30 × 30 | Ecommerce and light moving |
| 50 × 35 × 35 | Medium-sized moving |
| 60 × 40 × 40 | Moving, clothing and textiles |
| 43 × 35 × 7 | Flat shipping: folded clothes, catalogs |
Moving boxes and their weight capacity (maximum load according to specifications):
| Box | Cardboard | Maximum load |
|---|---|---|
| 50 × 35 × 35 | Reinforced single wall | 20 kg |
| 60 × 40 × 40 | Single wall | 20 kg |
| 60 × 40 × 40 double | Reinforced double wall | 20 kg |
| 80 × 60 × 55 trunk | Double wall | 50 kg |
Heavy items (books, tableware) go in small boxes; light items, in large ones. Do you already have the dimensions of what you are going to pack? Look it up in the box search engine by cm dimensions.
When someone calls us and says "I want a regular box," we always ask the same thing: regular for what? A box that is perfect for cosmetics is overkill for a move, and a moving box is a waste for an accessories ecommerce store.
This guide brings order: a real table of cardboard box dimensions by use (postal, moving, wine, TV), the difference between interior and exterior — which is where we see the most confusion — and how to choose yours right the first time. At TeleCajas, there are over 40 sizes of cardboard boxes as well as cheap cardboard boxes; no minimum order.
Dimensions are always given as length × width × height. In our product sheets, unless otherwise noted, these are interior dimensions (the usable space). If you want a step-by-step method: how to measure a cardboard box.
Which cardboard box size chart do you use based on usage?
Start with the usage (light shipping, ecommerce, moving, wine, or TV) and then refine the centimeters; not the other way around.
| Use | Range / examples (cm, interior) | What it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Postal / marketplace | From ~10×10×10 to 30×20×26; flat postal boxes like 43×35×7 | Accessories, cosmetics, spare parts, folded clothes, documentation |
| Standard ecommerce | From ~31×22×11 to 40×30×30 | Clothing, footwear, books, small batches; stacks well on a Euro pallet |
| Moving / batches | 50×35×35, 60×40×40 and similar | Clothing and household (large and light); dense household goods are better in more compact boxes |
| Wine / bottles | Cases and boxes with dividers (e.g., 6 bottles ~23.5×15.5×31.5) | Bottles upright with a grid; do not use a "generic large" box |
| TV / artwork | Flat and long (e.g., 81×13×69 for TV up to 37") | Screens, mirrors, canvases; the thickness (13 cm) is as critical as the length |
Catalog examples: 40×30×30 cm, 60×40×40 cm, 50×35×35 cm, 30×20×26 cm, postal 43×35×7 cm, 6-bottle box with dividers and TV/artwork box 81×13×69 cm.
Collections by range: small and medium, large and giant, tall and long, artwork and TV, moving packs.
Interior or exterior dimensions: which do you look at when buying?
At TeleCajas, the dimensions on the product sheet are, by default, interior: the space where the product fits. The exterior is the assembled box from the outside, including the thickness of the cardboard.
| Interior | Exterior | |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | Length × width × height of the usable space | The box from the outside, closed |
| Purpose | Knowing if product + padding will fit | Space on a shelf, trunk, pallet, or carrier section |
| Typical error | Ordering by the number in the title without reading "interior" | Assuming 34.5 cm is the usable space |
A real-world example of the most common complaint: a shoe postal box with dimensions 34.5x21x12.5 has an interior of 32.5×21×12.5 cm and exterior of 34.5×21×12.5 cm. If you measure your shoe against 34.5 and order that box, you may run out of space. Always check the "interior dimensions" line on the product sheet — or use the box search engine by cm dimensions.
How to measure and choose the box in 3 steps?
Measure the product (including protrusions), decide on the clearance, and check with your transport provider; do not start with "a big one just in case."
- Measure the product in length × width × height, including protrusions, and add clearance: a few centimeters on each side if it is fragile (padding), tighter if it is not.
- Translate into interior box dimensions. That is the number you need to look for on the product sheet or in the search engine. If you are undecided between two, the guide what size box do I need to send objects breaks it down by case (shoes, clothes, books, mobile phones).
- Think about shipping and weight. An oversized box increases volumetric weight; one that is too large and filled with dense items (books, household goods) becomes unmanageable. Better two tight boxes than one "for everything." We break down shipping price brackets in how much it costs to send a package; cardboard strength is detailed in how much weight a box can hold.
Which box dimensions are the most popular?
The ones that leave our warehouse most often in real orders: postal, 30×20×26, 50×35×35, and 60×40×40 — plus the all-rounder 40×30×30 for ecommerce.
| Dimension (interior, cm) | Profile | When does it make sense? |
|---|---|---|
| 30×20×26 | Postal / shipping | Rectangular objects, marketplace, compact storage |
| 40×30×30 | Ecommerce / light moving | Average order; two side-by-side fit on a 120×80 Euro pallet |
| 50×35×35 | Medium-sized moving | Between 40×30×30 and 60×40×40; clothing and objects that don't fit in the medium one |
| 60×40×40 | Moving / textile | Clothing, quilts, large light items; don't fill it with books |
| Flat postal (e.g., 43×35×7) | Flat shipping | Folded clothes, catalogs, well-protected tablets |
A Euro pallet measures 120×80 cm: "round" dimensions like 40×30, 60×40, or 30×20 optimize the base. If you are palletizing, we fit it into primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging.
For moving: more compact boxes for dense items (books, tableware) and large ones for light items (clothing, textiles). This way, no box becomes impossible to lift. How many? You have the moving box calculator and the packs.
Volume calculator or cm search engine: which one should you use?
If you already have the three dimensions of the product, use the cm search engine; if you need liters or the volumetric weight of the shipment, use the calculator.
- Box search engine by cm dimensions — filter by length, width, and height to see what is in stock.
- Volume and volumetric weight calculator — useful when the carrier charges by volume.
- The formula and criteria are explained in how to calculate the volume of a cardboard box.
Frequently asked questions
Are the cardboard box dimensions on TeleCajas interior or exterior?
Interior, unless the product sheet says otherwise: it is the usable space. The exterior adds the thickness of the cardboard and is used for warehouse spaces or shipping rates, not for knowing if the product fits.
What is the most ordered cardboard box size?
It depends on the use: in ecommerce, the 40×30×30 and similar ones lead; in day-to-day orders, the postal boxes, the 30×20×26, the 50×35×35, and the 60×40×40 are very popular.
What box size do I need to send clothes?
For a few folded garments, a medium one like 31×22×11 or similar; for larger orders, 40×30×20 or 40×30×30. If it is flat and not delicate, also consider an envelope — we compare them in boxes vs. envelopes. For flat shipments, the 43×35×7 cm postal box works.
What box should I use for books?
Small or medium, never a 60×40×40 full of paper: books are heavy and the box becomes unmanageable. Start with compact formats (like 30×20×…) and distribute the weight across several.
What should I choose between 50×35×35 and 60×40×40?
The 50×35×35 if you want something intermediate and manageable; the 60×40×40 for voluminous and light textile items. If the content is dense, go down in size even if more boxes are needed.
What if no standard size fits my needs?
Write to us: among more than 40 sizes, there is almost always one that works, and for B2B volumes, we study custom options. WhatsApp: +34 665 53 23 58.
Choose your size and order starting from 1 unit
You can order from 1 unit, with no minimum order; free shipping on orders over €50 (VAT included in the price). On the mainland, we can usually ship it so it reaches you within the standard 24/48-hour timeframe — if you need it for tomorrow, let us know when ordering and we will look into it.
See all dimensions · Search by cm · Moving packs · Self-assembling boxes
