Crate Size Calculator

Work out the inside and outside size of a wood shipping crate from the product size, cushion space and lumber thicknesses, plus its cube, plywood and freight class.

Product

Length (In.)

Width (In.)

Height (In.)

Clearance per Side (In.)

Space for cushioning or blocking on every side, top and bottom.

Product Weight (Lb.)

Crate Build

Common Builds

Actual lumber sizes: 1× is ¾″, 2× is 1½″, 4× is 3½″, 6″ nominal is 5½″.

Panel Thickness (In.)

Cleat Thickness (In.)

Cleats on the outside of the panels.

Skid Height (In.)

Base Thickness (In.)

Floorboards or base panel on the skids.

Crate Weight (Lb.)

Add it to get the gross weight, density and freight class.

Fractions work too: try 3 1/2 or 23/32.

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Outside Size (In.)

Inside size
Outside size
Crate cube
Plywood area
Gross weight
Density
Freight Class: Add product and crate weights

Crate List

Crates you add are saved in this browser.

Inside	Outside	Cube	Plywood	Gross Wt.	Class	Remove

How to Size a Shipping Crate

Start inside and work out. The inside of the crate is the product plus clearance on every side for cushioning, blocking or bracing. Each wall then adds its panel and the cleats nailed over it, and the height adds the skids and the base the product sits on.

Inside = product + 2 × clearance (each dimension)

Outside length and width = inside + 2 × (panel + cleat)
Outside height = skid + base + inside height + panel + cleat

The top gets a panel and cleats like the sides. Skids run under the base, so they add height but not length or width.

Worked Example

Lumber and Panel Sizes

Nominal	Actual Thickness	Actual Width
1×4	¾″	3½″
1×6	¾″	5½″
2×4	1½″	3½″
2×6	1½″	5½″
4×4	3½″	3½″
4×6	3½″	5½″
½″ plywood	15⁄32″	48″
¾″ plywood	23⁄32″	48″

Plywood sold as ½″ and ¾″ is often a little thinner. Enter 15/32 or 23/32 for exact sizes.

Tips for Building Crates

Match the build to the load: heavier products need thicker skids, more cleats and bracing, and a base that can carry the weight between skids. Skids made from 4×4s leave 3½″ under the base, enough for most forklift tines. Crates shipped overseas must meet ISPM-15, so use heat-treated, stamped lumber for skids and cleats (plywood and OSB are exempt). Round the outside size up to the next inch when you quote freight, since carriers measure the widest points.