Buying things is fun, but not when you have to put them together. The instructions can be vague, and the measurements can be daunting. For example, in what order do heigh, width, and length go? Let's take a look at how to read measurements on product packaging to make sure you're getting the correct size.
Measurements always go in the following order: length x width x height. For example, if a product is 12" x 6" x 8", it is 12 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 8 inches tall. If there is a fourth number, that is for the depth or thickness of the item.
Knowing how measurements work makes it easier when purchasing an item. This article will discuss why measurements are in the order they are and how to make sure you're getting the right size product. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about measurements, so read on!
What order do measurements go in?
Most people don't think about it, but the measurements on product packaging are always in a specific order.
The first number is always the length, the second number is always the width, and the third number is always the height. This order is important to know because it will help you determine the size of the product.
The reason measurements are always in this order is because that is how most things are measured. You always start with the length, width, and height when you measure something. This is true for both standard and metric measurements.
If there is a fourth number on the product packaging, that is for the item's depth or thickness. For example, if an item is 12" x 6" x 8" x 4", it is 12 inches long, 6 inches wide, 8 inches tall, and 4 inches deep.
So whether you are shopping for a dresser or a backpack, you will always know the measurements in the same order: length x width x height.
What's the difference between length and width?
It may be confusing to some people, but there is a difference between length and width. Length is always the longest side of the item, while width is the shorter side.
For example, if you are measuring a rectangle, the length would be the longer side, while the width would be the shorter side.
Sometimes there will only be two numbers on the product packaging, and in that case, the first number is always the width, and the second number is always the height.
You will find this common in portraits or other artwork, where the width will be given first, followed by the height. For example, if a painting is 18" x 24", that means it is 18 inches wide and 24 inches tall.
How to make sure you're getting the right size product
When shopping for an item, it is essential to ensure you are getting the right size product. The best way to do this is to measure the space where you will be putting the item.
For example, if you are shopping for a new couch, you need to measure the length and width of your living room to make sure the sofa will fit.
You should also consider any other furniture in the room, such as end tables or lamps. You don't want to get a couch that is too big or too small for the space. This is similar to any home decor item, such as a rug or a coffee table.
On the other hand, clothing can be quite different, as you will need to take into account your body measurements. For example, if you are shopping for pants, you need to know your waist size and inseam.
This is why it is always a good idea to measure yourself before shopping. That way, you can be sure you are getting the right size product.
What if the product doesn't have any measurements?
If a product doesn't have any measurements, that means it is a one-size-fits-all product. You will find one-size-fits-all common in hats, gloves, and sometimes clothing, such as socks.
One-size-fits-all products are designed to fit a wide range of people. However, it is important to keep in mind that one-size-fits-all products may not fit everyone.
It is always a good idea to try on a one-size-fits-all product before buying it to make sure it will fit you.
You should also pay attention to the return policy when you are buying one-size-fits-all products, as some stores may not accept returns on these items.
What is W x H x D?
You will see W x H x D often when shopping for furniture. W x D x H stands for width, depth, and height.
When you ahttp://x 37"Dre looking at the measurements for furniture, you will always see the width listed first, followed by the depth, and then the height. For example, a coach might be listed as 80"W x 38"H x 37" D.
This means that the couch is 80" wide at its longest point. The depth is how deep the couch is and is measured from the front of the couch to the back. The height is how tall the couch is and is measured from the floor to the top of the couch.
Keep in mind that furniture measurements can vary depending on furniture style. For example, a sofa might have different measurements than a loveseat.
Another example is to look at tire tread. The depth of your tire tread can be measured to know if it's time to replace your tires or not.
How do you get the square footage of a room?
The square footage of a room is the width multiplied by the length. For example, if a room is 10 feet wide and 12 feet long, the square footage would be 120.
Keep in mind that the square footage of a room can be affected by things such as closets or alcoves. If you are unsure of the square footage of a room, it is always a good idea to measure the space to be sure.
But why would you need to know this? Well, there are several reasons.
For example, you might need to know the square footage of a room when you are shopping for flooring. That way, you can be sure to get enough material to cover the entire space.
You might also need to know the square footage of a room when you are painting. That way, you can get enough paint to cover the entire space.
Lastly, you don't want to buy a king-size bed if it won't fit in your bedroom!
What are imperial measurements?
Imperial measurements are the standard measurements used in the United States. For example, feet, inches, pounds, and ounces are all imperial measurements.
You will often see imperial measurements listed alongside metric measurements. For example, a product might be listed as 12" x 24", which means it is 12 inches wide by 24 inches long.
Keep in mind that not all countries use imperial measurements. For example, Canada uses metric measurements.
If you are shopping for a product that will be shipped to another country, it is always good to check the measurement conversion chart to make sure you are ordering the correct size.
How is a bed measured?
A bed is typically measured by its width and length. For example, a queen-size bed generally is 60" x 80".
The width is the measurement from one side of the bed to the other. The length is the measurement from the head of the bed to the foot of the bed.
There will be a measurement to know how thick the mattress is. This is not to be confused with the height of the bed, which is measured from the floor to the top of the mattress.
For example, the bed might have a 4-inch Tempurpedic mattress, which means the mattress is 4 inches thick.
Final Thoughts
Measurements can be confusing, but hopefully, this article has helped clear some things up. It can also change depending on what you are measuring.
When in doubt, always measure the space or product to be sure. And if you are ever unsure of what measurement is, be sure to check the conversion chart.
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FAQs
What comes first length or width or height? ›
Listed dimensions are always inside dimensions. The first dimension to measure is length. Length is always the longest side of the box that has a flap. The next dimension is width.
In what order is length width and height? ›All box dimensions are written as length x width x height. For example, 14" x 11" x 4" means 14" (L) x 11" (W) x 4" (H)".
What is the correct order for dimensions? ›Length, width, height, depth.
What does 8x10 mean? ›What size picture fits in a 8x10 frame? Example: An 8×10-inch print from a photo lab will usually be 8×10 inches, but you might print an 8×10 at home on 8.5×11 paper. Therefore, the correct size is 8x10, not 8.5x11. /
When measuring what is listed first? ›Measurements always go in the following order: length x width x height. For example, if a product is 12" x 6" x 8", it is 12 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 8 inches tall. If there is a fourth number, that is for the depth or thickness of the item. Knowing how measurements work makes it easier when purchasing an item.
How do you write dimensions correctly? ›The first number is the width (W), the second number is the depth (D), and the third number is the height (H). Another way to write the same measurements would be: 30″W x 16″D x 36″H. In this format, all of the dimensions are listed one after the other, separated by a space.
How do we read and write measurements? ›- Find/read the markings. On a standard tape measure, the biggest marking is the inch mark (which generally has the biggest number, if it has them).
- As the increments decrease, so does the length of the mark. ...
- Read 1 inch. ...
- Read one-half inch. ...
- The remaining markings follow a similar pattern.
H. D. Width (W): It is the total width of your piece of furniture in its widest part, including armrests. Height (H): It is the total height of your piece of furniture, measured from the floor and including pillows. Depth (D): It is the total depth of your piece of furniture, including pillows.
How are dimensions listed in order for furniture? ›For most furniture pieces — and a myriad of other products on the market — the order of dimensions falls in this order: Length x Width x Height. Let's say a customer is interested in buying an Artesia dining table from Broadway Furniture. It's dimensions are 72 x 40 x 30 in.
Is length always longer than width? ›Length is describing how long something is while width is describing how wide an object is. 2.In geometry, length pertains to the longest side of the rectangle while width is the shorter side. 3. Length can also refer to an extent of time or a measure of distance.
What does 6x8 mean? ›
6R. width:6.0Inch (152.4mm) height:8.0Inch (203.2mm)
What's 8x10 in width and height? ›In the case of an 8×10 image, the width of the picture is 8 inches, and the height is 10 inches.
What size is a 5x7 photo? ›5×7 prints are approximately 5 inches by 7 inches (13 x 18cm / 127 x 178 mm). The sizes are written in the format: length by height, so 5×7 is for portrait (vertical) photos and 5×7 is for landscape (horizontal) orientation photos.
What do the 3 measurements stand for? ›Bust/waist/hip measurements (informally called 'body measurements' or ′vital statistics′) are a common method of specifying clothing sizes. They match the three inflection points of the female body shape.
What are the 3 numbers in dimensions? ›Length, width, and height are measurements that allow us to indicate the volume of geometric bodies. The length (20 cm) and the width (10 cm) correspond to the horizontal dimension. On the other hand, the height (15 cm) refers to the vertical dimension.
Does width come before length in pants? ›W stands for waist circumference (Waist = W) and L stands for leg length (L = Length). All pants with a size labeled in inches will include these two figures, with the waist figure followed by the length. For example, if you have a jeans size 34/32, the number 34 means you have a waist 34 inches around.
Is length always longer than width? ›Length is describing how long something is while width is describing how wide an object is. 2.In geometry, length pertains to the longest side of the rectangle while width is the shorter side. 3. Length can also refer to an extent of time or a measure of distance.
How do you read measurements? ›Put simply 1 = 1", 2 = 2" and so on. Between those numbers are a series of shorter marks which represent fractions of an inch. The mark directly in the middle of the inch denotes a measurment of 1/2" whilst the markings either side of it represent measurements of 1/4" and 3/4" respectively.
How do you measure length and width? ›Length and Width of a Rectangle - YouTube
Is length and height the same? ›Difference between length and height is very precise, as length denotes how long the shape is, and height denotes how tall it is. Length is the horizontal measurement in a plane, whereas height is the vertical measurement. In Geometry, the important parameters used to describe shapes are length, breadth and height.
Is length the longest side? ›
The length of a rectangle is always the longest side. If both are the same, then the shape is a square…
Is width and length the same? ›Difference between length and width is that length is the longest side of the object whereas width is the shorter side. For example, in a rectangle with sides 4 cm and 9 cm, the width measures 4 cm whereas the length measures 9 cm.
What is the order of measurements for a box? ›When you tell us the dimensions of the box, they need to be in this order, Length x Width x Depth.
When measuring a box What comes first? ›Measure the length of the box first. This is the long side of the box on the side of the longest flap. Next, turn the box 90 degrees and measure the width, which is the side with the shorter flap. Last, measure the height of the package.
What formula is LxWxH? ›Use multiplication (V = l x w x h) to find the volume of a solid figure | IL Classroom.
What are the 3 types of measurement? ›You can see there are four different types of measurement scales (nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio).
What is the basic measurement? ›Measurements most commonly use the International System of Units (SI) as a comparison framework. The system defines seven fundamental units: kilogram, metre, candela, second, ampere, kelvin, and mole. All of these units are defined without reference to a particular physical object which serves as a standard.
How do you write measurements? ›The first number is the width (W), the second number is the depth (D), and the third number is the height (H). Another way to write the same measurements would be: 30″W x 16″D x 36″H. In this format, all of the dimensions are listed one after the other, separated by a space.