About this calculator

Compare your available boxes for one fixed rectangular bundle. The selector excludes candidates that cannot fit the bundle plus clearance, then ranks the remaining boxes by entered unit price and inside volume.

Inputs

How to use this calculator

Available box

  1. Internal carton length (in)Use usable inside dimensions, not outside shipping measurements.
  2. Internal carton width (in)Account for inserts or obstructions separately.
  3. Internal carton height (in)Use measured usable height.
  4. Price per box (USD)Your actual price; zero is allowed. No supplier catalog is included.

Shared inputs

  1. Product or bundle length (in)Rectangular outer dimensions including immediate packaging.
  2. Product or bundle width (in)One identical product for grid counting; one fixed bundle for box selection.
  3. Product or bundle height (in)Original upright height.
  4. Clearance at each wall (in)Applied at both ends of each axis. Enter usable clearances for your packaging design.
  5. Allowed product orientationsChoose side laying only when the product and packaging allow it.

Enter the shipment or scenario values, then select Calculate result.

Method

Formula and variables

Check the fixed bundle plus clearance at both walls against each entered internal box, for every allowed orientation. Exclude boxes that do not fit. Rank remaining boxes by entered unit price, then internal volume; report all exact ties.

Internal carton length (in)
Use usable inside dimensions, not outside shipping measurements.
Internal carton width (in)
Account for inserts or obstructions separately.
Internal carton height (in)
Use measured usable height.
Price per box (USD)
Your actual price; zero is allowed. No supplier catalog is included.
Product or bundle length (in)
Rectangular outer dimensions including immediate packaging.
Product or bundle width (in)
One identical product for grid counting; one fixed bundle for box selection.
Product or bundle height (in)
Original upright height.
Clearance at each wall (in)
Applied at both ends of each axis. Enter usable clearances for your packaging design.
Allowed product orientations
Choose side laying only when the product and packaging allow it.

Interpret the result

The recommended candidate is the lowest-price fitting box under the entered list. Shipping cost, outside dimensions, strength and live inventory do not participate in ranking.

Outputs: Fitting boxes ranked by entered price and internal volume

One rigid rectangular bundle, not an order packing optimizer. The lowest box price may not minimize shipping or total packaging cost. No strength, cushioning adequacy, shipping rate, outside dimensions or box inventory availability is inferred. Enter your own box list.

Worked example

Check the arithmetic

This example uses the starting values shown above. The arithmetic below is calculated independently of the interactive result.

Work through the calculation

  1. The 10 × 8 × 6 in bundle with 0.5 in at each wall requires 11 × 9 × 7 in.
  2. The default 12 × 10 × 8 in candidate fits all three required sides. It is the only entered candidate, at $2.00, so Box 1 leads.

Compare the displayed result

Expected displayed result: Box 1

FAQs

Is the lowest box price also the lowest shipping cost?

Not necessarily. This ranking uses entered box prices and internal volume. Dimensional weight and other shipping costs need a separate comparison.

Example inputs and options

Starting values are examples unless a field identifies a dated rule. Unit selectors convert only fields marked for conversion. Rates and model options keep the units and basis shown in their labels.

Internal carton length (in)
Example: 12
Internal carton width (in)
Example: 10
Internal carton height (in)
Example: 8
Price per box (USD)
Example: 2
Product or bundle length (in)
Example: 10
Product or bundle width (in)
Example: 8
Product or bundle height (in)
Example: 6
Clearance at each wall (in)
Example: 0.5
Allowed product orientations
Example: Upright: compare two footprint orientationsOptions: Upright: compare two footprint orientations; Compare all six orientations, including side laying