Box size recommender
Tell us what you are packing. We add the padding it needs and pick the smallest box that keeps it safe, so you do not pay to ship empty space.
- XS
- S
- M
- FLAT
- L
- XL
- XXL
1. What are you packing?
Filled in with a typical one pair in its shoe box. Measure yours and change it.
2. Item size
- XS35 × 25 × 3 cm · ≤ 0.5 kgtoo tight
- S25 × 20 × 10 cm · ≤ 2 kgtoo tight
- M40 × 30 × 20 cm · ≤ 8 kg← use this
- FLAT50 × 40 × 15 cm · ≤ 8 kgtoo tight
- L45 × 35 × 25 cm · ≤ 10 kgfits
- XL60 × 40 × 40 cm · ≤ 20 kgfits
- XXL70 × 50 × 50 cm · ≤ 30 kgfits
3. Your box
Single-wall board
Medium box M
40 × 30 × 20 cm(15.7 × 11.8 × 7.9 in)
- Real
- 1.2 kg
- Box size
- 4.8 kg
- Billed
- 5 kg
Good for: Shoes, a stack of books, folded clothes.
Packing shoes
- 1Never post the shoe box on its own. Put it inside a shipping box.
- 2Stuff the shoes with paper or socks so the toes keep their shape.
- 3Wrap each shoe separately so soles do not mark the uppers.
Recommended box
M · 40×30×20 cm
Bills as 5 kg by express courier
How we worked this out
Box ≥ item + 2 × padding on every side, and box limit ≥ item weight; pick the smallest tier that passes both
- 01Item, largest side first33 × 21 × 12 cm
- 02Add 2 cm padding on every sideeach side + 2 × 2 cm37 × 25 × 16 cm
- 03Smallest tier that is roomy enough and strong enough40 × 30 × 20 cm, up to 8 kgM
- 04Item weight1.2 kg
- 05Box volumetric weight40 × 30 × 20 ÷ 50004.8 kg
- 06Billed weight, expressmax(4.8, 1.2), rounded up5 kg
Data source
- Hyre box size tiersHyre's own recommended size tiers, rounded to whole centimetres. They are not an official or carrier standard: courier-branded boxes and local box makers use their own sizes, so measure the box you actually buy.
- Padding and item sizesCushioning figures follow common carrier packing guidance (about 5 cm around fragile items). Typical item sizes are rough averages, so measure your own item for the best fit.
- Express volumetric divisorHyre booking engine (same divisor used for every Hyre quote)
Box sizes are inside dimensions. Your courier or local box maker may stock different sizes: pick the nearest one that is at least as big as the size above.
Send this packing list
Packing questions
How much padding does a parcel need?
Fragile items such as glass, ceramics and electronics need about 5 cm of cushioning on every side, the common carrier guidance. Clothes and soft goods need very little, which is why they fit a smaller box.
Why does box size change the price?
Couriers charge the larger of the real weight and the volumetric weight, which comes from the box size. A box that is too big for its contents bills you for empty space.
Are these official box sizes?
Hyre's own recommended size tiers, rounded to whole centimetres. They are not an official or carrier standard: courier-branded boxes and local box makers use their own sizes, so measure the box you actually buy.