Work out carton size optimisation instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
Carton size is driven by the arrangement of products inside it. Choosing a near-cubic arrangement minimises surface area for a given volume, which minimises board consumption and gives the best compression strength per unit of board. Clearances of a few millimetres per axis allow for tolerance and flap thickness.
Carton dimensions
Internal L x W x H = (nx x product L + clearance) x (ny x product W + clearance) x (nz x product H + clearance)
Fill efficiency
Fill % = product volume x 100 / carton volume
A cube has the smallest surface area for a given volume, so it uses least board. Long thin cartons use more board, cost more and are weaker in stacking.
To both. A carton that fits the product perfectly but tiles badly on a pallet wastes far more in freight than it saves in board. Check the pallet pattern before fixing the case size.