Package Girth Calculator
Enter your package's length, width, and height to find its girth and length-plus-girth total.
Length is the longest side; width and height are the two shorter sides, in any order.
How package girth is calculated
Girth is the distance around a package's two shorter dimensions: girth = 2 × (width + height). It represents the perimeter of the package's cross-section as if measured by wrapping a tape measure around it, perpendicular to its longest side.
Shipping carriers commonly add this girth to the package's length to get a single combined dimension (length + girth) used to determine whether a package qualifies for oversize pricing or size restrictions, even when the package's weight alone wouldn't seem large.
Frequently asked questions
Why do carriers care about length plus girth instead of just weight?
A large but lightweight package (like a surfboard box or a bundle of poles) can take up a disproportionate amount of truck or plane space relative to its weight. Length-plus-girth captures this bulkiness in a single number carriers can use for pricing and restrictions.
Which dimension should I use as "length"?
Length should be your package's longest side. Width and height are the remaining two sides and can be measured in either order, since girth treats them symmetrically (2 × (width + height)).
What length-plus-girth limits do carriers typically use?
This varies by carrier and service level — common thresholds are often around 130 inches for standard ground shipping, with some carriers allowing larger packages at a premium. Always check your specific carrier's current published limits before shipping.