Measuring the size of a shoe box is not difficult, just remember the industry standard: length x width x height (L x W x H). Length is the longest edge of the bottom, width is the shorter edge of the bottom, and height is from the bottom to the lid. Many people confuse width and height, resulting in incorrect size and inability to fit shoes. We produce over 100 shoe boxes, and this article will take you through how to test shoe box sizes thoroughly.
Last update: August 2025 | Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
This article will answer your questions
- What tools do you need to measure a shoe box?
- Is it measuring internal dimensions or external dimensions?
- What is the average shoe box size for men’s shoes, women’s shoes, and children’s shoes?
- What’s the difference between boxes for high heels, boots, and sneakers?
- How does shoe box size affect shipping and warehousing?
- What mistakes should I pay attention to when placing an order for custom shoe boxes?
What tools do I need to measure a shoe box?
Our three most common testing tools: tape measure, caliper and CAD die drawing.
- Soft ruler: measures length, width, and height, and is more accurate than a hard ruler in measuring curved surfaces.
- Caliper: Mainly used to measure the length inside the shoe, more accurate than a tape measure.
- CAD drawings: We design the CAD draft based on the shoe ruler you provide.
If you only provide the outer dimensions of the shoes, we can provide more accurate samples for you to try on and confirm whether the shoes are suitable.
How to measure length, width and height correctly?
- Length = the longest side of the shoe
- Width = The shorter side of the shoe
- Height = measured from the bottom of the shoe to the top
Packaging industry standard expression
| Dimension | Where to Measure | Common Mistake | What It Means for You |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Long base edge, measure from one edge to the other | Mixed up with width | Layout errors |
| Width | Short base edge, measure edge to edge | Mistaken as height | Shoes don’t fit |
| Height | From bottom to lid | Confused with width | Shoes get crushed |
Should shoe boxes be measured using the inside or outside dimensions?
Our factory defaults to refer to the inner size (ID) of the shoe.
- Inner size: determines whether the shoes, inner trays, and lining paper fit properly. Generally, it is slightly larger than the actual size to ensure that the shoes can be placed in the shoe box without being squeezed.
- External dimensions: Determine logistics, transportation, and stacking. We will determine the cardboard material and size based on your shelf and warehouse stacking height and weight.
Many overseas shoe businessmen are unaware of this, resulting in 30–50% rework.
What are the average shoe box sizes for men's, women's, and children's shoes?
Whether it’s men’s or women’s shoes, there’s no unified size standard. The following is a summary based on our industry experience.
- Men’s shoes: Approximately 34 × 23 × 12 cm
- Women’s shoes: Approximately 33 × 20 × 11 cm
- Children’s shoes: Approximately 28 × 18 × 9 cm
For big brand shoes like Nike, Adidas, etc., we will make an additional adjustment of ±1–2 cm depending on the shoe shape.
How do different shoe types affect shoe box size?
Different shoe shapes have a significant impact on size, especially height and width.
- High heels: A taller box is needed to protect the heels.
- Boots: They have a significant impact on height. The height requirement is higher than that of ordinary shoes, and the width should also be appropriately increased.
- Sports shoes: These shoes are larger and require a wider box to accommodate breathable backing paper.
- Luxury shoes: To highlight the luxurious texture, we recommend using a hard gift box + magnetic cover + sponge inner tray.
Different shoe types use different boxes to avoid “one size fits all”. Therefore, we recommend that you provide complete shoe measurements and pictures for us to evaluate.
How does shoe box size affect shipping and warehousing?
Shoe boxes are relatively light, so couriers generally charge based on volumetric weight. A 2 cm height difference in shoe boxes can have a significant impact on container loading:
- A 40HQ container can hold approximately 28,000 shoe boxes.
- If the box is 2 cm higher, it may contain 1,500 fewer pieces.
Therefore, optimizing the size of your shoe boxes to reduce excess space can reduce shipping costs.
What is the best size to choose when customizing shoe boxes?
- Before proofing, be sure to confirm whether you want inner or outer dimensions.
- After we receive your clear size information, we will provide you with free CAD die-cutting drawings for your confirmation.
- When producing large quantities of orders, we will provide corresponding edge compression strength (ECT) testing to avoid box collapse.
How can brands achieve global standardization of shoebox sizes?
Big brands have a unified size standard system, which ensures that the shoe box sizes in different markets remain consistent, facilitating production and logistics management.
- Men’s sports shoes and formal shoes have different sizes, and leather shoes focus on the appearance design and protection of the shoe box.
- Children’s shoe boxes will be adjusted according to age. Because children’s foot length and foot shape will increase year by year, we recommend leaving a 0.5-1 cm margin.
- Global standardization helps with store displays, logistics and warehouse stacking.
What mistakes should you avoid when measuring shoe boxes?
- Only shoe size is given, not box size.
- Measuring tools are not calibrated and the dimensions provided are not exact.
- Only measure the outside dimensions and ignore the inside dimensions.
- Compressive strength is not considered.
- The volumetric weight is not calculated, resulting in extremely high air freight costs.
Incorrect measurements can increase shipping costs, lead to rework, and even damage the shoes. Therefore, you need to ensure accurate measurements, including shoe shape, shoe size, internal and external dimensions, and a ruler.
Shoebox packaging trends in 2025
- Environmentally friendly materials: Brands such as Nike promote the “integrated shoe box” project, using recycled kraft paper or FSC paper.
- Digitalization and Personalization: Start using digital technology to optimize shoe box size and design, and enhance brand and user interaction.
- Modular design: Modular structure allows for easy stacking and storage, saving transportation costs.
FAQs
Men's shoes are approximately 34×23×12 cm, women's shoes are approximately 33×20×11 cm, and children's shoes are approximately 28×18×9 cm.
The factory usually uses the inner size by default, but it should still be confirmed in advance.
A Nike shoe box is approximately 35 × 24 × 13 cm, but this may vary depending on the shoe model.
Conclusion
Shoebox size = length × width × height.
Be sure to distinguish between inner and outer dimensions.
Men’s, women’s, and children’s shoes have different average sizes.
Different shoe types have different box requirements.
Size also affects shipping and storage costs.
About XiangGe Package
We specialize in custom paper shoe boxes with over 10 years of export experience. We help customers reduce shipping costs while ensuring the aesthetics and durability of their shoe boxes. Our shoe boxes are precisely sized to fit the outer box, increasing your container loading rate.
Contact us today for free samples or packaging solutions.
Last updated: August 2025
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