20 × 20 × 16 in box: dimensions, dim weight and strength
A 20 × 20 × 16 in box holds 6,400 in³ (3.7 ft³) inside. Made in C flute its outside is about 20.31 × 20.31 × 16.47 in, which dimensional weight bills USPS at 54 lb and FedEx at 47 lb.
Key numbers
| Inside (L × W × H) | 20 × 20 × 16 in |
|---|---|
| Inside volume | 6,400 in³ · 3.704 ft³ · 104.9 L |
| Inside, metric | 508 × 508 × 406 mm |
| Perimeter 2(L + W) | 80 in |
| Length + girth, C flute OD | 93.9 in |
Outside dimensions by flute
| Board | Caliper, in | Outside, in | Outside volume, ft³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| E flute | 0.063 | 20.13 × 20.13 × 16.19 | 3.794 |
| B flute | 0.125 | 20.25 × 20.25 × 16.38 | 3.886 |
| C flute | 0.156 | 20.31 × 20.31 × 16.47 | 3.932 |
| EB double wall | 0.188 | 20.38 × 20.38 × 16.56 | 3.979 |
| BC double wall | 0.281 | 20.56 × 20.56 × 16.84 | 4.121 |
OD ≈ ID + 2 calipers on length and width, + 3 on depth. An estimate: your box maker sets the scores. Convert other sizes.
Dimensional weight
| Carrier | Divisor | Measured, in (C) | DW, C flute | DW, BC double wall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | 139 | 21 × 21 × 17 | 54 lb | 54 lb |
| FedEx | 139 | 20 × 20 × 16 | 47 lb | 54 lb |
DW = ⌈L × W × H ÷ divisor⌉ on outside dimensions, after each carrier's own rounding. USPS applies it only above 1,728 in³ (n/a means it bills actual weight). The carrier bills the greater of actual and dimensional weight. Divisors checked on carrier pages 2026-10-27; try your own weight.
Estimated compression strength
| Board | BCT, lbf | After 30 days storage |
|---|---|---|
| 32 ECT B flute | 594 | 356 |
| 32 ECT C flute | 664 | 398 |
| 44 ECT C flute | 913 | 548 |
| 48 ECT C flute | 996 | 598 |
| 48 ECT BC double wall | 1,337 | 802 |
| 61 ECT BC double wall | 1,699 | 1,019 |
| 71 ECT BC double wall | 1,977 | 1,186 |
Simplified McKee: BCT ≈ 5.87 × ECT × √(caliper × 80). The 30-day column applies Packgent's default 40% storage loss, an assumption. Estimates only; test with ASTM D642.
Pallet pattern on 48 × 40
| Board | Per layer | Layers | Boxes per pallet | Load height, in | Cube used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C flute | 2 | 3 | 6 | 54.9 | 39% |
| BC double wall | 2 | 3 | 6 | 56 | 41% |
Column stacked, no overhang, on a 48 × 40 in deck 5.5 in tall, loaded to 60 in overall. Those three are assumptions you can change in the pallet calculator. Pattern: 20.3125″ along the 48″ side.
Blank size in C flute
| Style | Blank, in | Board, ft² |
|---|---|---|
| 0201 RSC | 81.88 × 36.31 | 20.65 |
| 0200 HSC | 81.88 × 26.16 | 14.87 |
| 0203 FOL | 81.88 × 56.31 | 32.02 |
With one caliper allowance per score. Multiply board area by your board's combined weight (lb/MSF ÷ 1,000) for box weight, or use the box weight calculator.
Sources
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 223 (Priority Mail prices and eligibility), section 1.4
- FedEx: What is dimensional weight?
- Flute calipers: Foster (1997), Wiley Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology
- McKee, Gander & Wachuta (1963), Paperboard Packaging 48(8)
Last reviewed . See all sources and how Packgent computes.
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