FedEx box sizes come in five branded boxes, Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large, and most come in two versions with different shapes. Their prices depend on how you ship them: with FedEx One Rate, each box has one flat rate by box type, service and zone group for anything under 50 lbs, and with standard FedEx rates you pay by weight or dimensional weight and zone.
FedEx’s branded boxes are free, but only for FedEx Express services, so they can’t be used for FedEx Ground. This guide lists every FedEx box size, explains how One Rate and standard pricing work, and shows when a different box or carrier is the better deal.
What Are the FedEx Box Sizes?
FedEx lists these dimensions for its One Rate packaging. Two boxes share a name when FedEx makes two shapes, such as a flat Small Box for documents and a deeper one for small products, so measure your item against both versions.
| FedEx box | Version | Dimensions (inches) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Small Box | Standard | 7-1/4 x 2-1/2 x 4-11/16 | Jewelry, phone accessories, small parts |
| Small Box | Version 1 | 10-7/8 x 1-1/2 x 12-3/8 | Documents, thin books, flat items |
| Small Box | Version 2 | 8-3/4 x 2-5/8 x 11-1/4 | Small boxed products |
| Medium Box | Version 1 | 11-1/2 x 2-3/8 x 13-1/4 | Folded clothing, binders |
| Medium Box | Version 2 | 8-3/4 x 4-3/8 x 11-1/4 | Small electronics, cosmetics |
| Large Box | Version 1 | 12-3/8 x 3 x 17-1/2 | Larger flat items, files, laptops |
| Large Box | Version 2 | 8-3/4 x 7-3/4 x 11-1/4 | Shoes, small appliances |
| Extra Large Box | Version 1 | 11-7/8 x 10-3/4 x 11 | Cube-shaped items, multiple products |
| Extra Large Box | Version 2 | 15-3/4 x 14-1/8 x 6 | Wide, shallow items |
| Tube | Standard | 6 x 6 x 38 | Posters, plans, rolled prints |
Our dedicated guides cover the FedEx Large Box and what size the FedEx Extra Large Box is in more detail. For documents, FedEx also makes envelopes and Paks, listed in our guide to FedEx envelope sizes.
How Are FedEx Box Prices Set With One Rate?
FedEx One Rate charges one flat price per package based on three things: the packaging type, the FedEx Express service, and the zone group. FedEx groups destinations into Zone 2, Zones 3–4 and Zones 5–8, which includes Alaska and Hawaii.
- Weight limit: envelopes must weigh under 10 lbs, and boxes, Paks and tubes under 50 lbs. Heavier packages are billed at standard rates.
- Eligible services: FedEx First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day A.M., 2Day and Express Saver.
- Not eligible: FedEx Ground and Home Delivery, international shipments, intra-Hawaii shipments, and shipments created in the FedEx Mobile app.
- Extras cost more: Saturday delivery, signature options, declared value above $100 and on-call pickups are added on top.
- No account discounts: FedEx’s account discounts don’t apply to One Rate pricing.
- Overstuffed packaging: an envelope more than 3 inches thick or a Pak more than 5 inches thick is rated as a box.
Because the price ignores weight under 50 lbs, One Rate is strongest for heavy, compact items going far on an Express service. For a light package going a short distance, standard pricing can come out lower.
How Are FedEx Boxes Priced With Standard Rates?
Without One Rate, a FedEx box is priced like any other package: by the service, the zone, and the greater of the actual weight and the dimensional weight. FedEx calculates dimensional weight by multiplying length, width and height in inches and dividing by 139, rounding up to the next pound.
Standard rates are where account discounts apply, and surcharges such as residential delivery, fuel and delivery area charges are added on top. Our guide to FedEx oversize dimensions and limits explains when a large box triggers extra handling charges. To check the actual figure for a specific box, use FedEx’s own FedEx rate tool.
Are FedEx Boxes Free?
Yes, FedEx-branded envelopes, Paks, boxes and tubes are free, but only for FedEx Express services, FedEx Express Saver and select international services. You can order them online with a FedEx account or pick them up at a FedEx location.
Using a free Express box for a FedEx Ground shipment isn’t allowed. For Ground, use your own box or buy one; FedEx Office stores sell boxes, tape and cushioning, and our guide to how much FedEx charges to pack an item covers in-store packing. Our overview of FedEx labels and supplies explains what else you can order, and businesses with specific needs can look at FedEx custom boxes.
Which FedEx Box Size Should You Choose?
Pick the smallest box that holds the item with room for cushioning, because One Rate doesn’t include internal packing material. If two box versions fit, choose the one that leaves less empty space so the item can’t shift.
- Measure the item, then add about 1 to 2 inches per side for cushioning.
- Compare against both versions of the box size in the table above.
- Weigh the packed box. If it’s 50 lbs or more, One Rate doesn’t apply.
- Decide how fast it needs to arrive. If ground is fine, a free Express box isn’t an option, so plan on your own box.
- Price both ways before buying, since One Rate and standard rates can differ by service and zone.
Perishables usually need insulated packaging and fast service rather than a branded box; our guide to cutting refrigerated shipping costs covers that. International shipments can use FedEx boxes, but not One Rate pricing, as our guide to FedEx charges from the USA to India shows for one lane.
What If Your Shipment Is Too Big for a FedEx Box?
Items that don’t fit a FedEx box ship in your own packaging at standard rates, and anything palletized or very heavy moves as freight. FedEx parcel services generally accept packages up to 150 lbs, and heavier shipments go to LTL freight.
For freight, our guide to LTL freight and logistics explains how less-than-truckload shipping works, and our guide to getting accurate freight shipping quotes covers what carriers need from you. You can also get a free LTL quote through PalletPath.
How Do FedEx Boxes Compare With USPS Flat Rate Boxes?
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes work like One Rate, with one price to any U.S. address, but they accept up to 70 lbs and can be used for 2–3 day Priority Mail rather than overnight service. That makes them a common alternative for heavy, compact items that don’t need to arrive the next day.
| Feature | FedEx One Rate boxes | USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes |
|---|---|---|
| Weight limit | Under 50 lbs | Up to 70 lbs |
| Pricing | By box type, Express service and zone group | One price per box to any U.S. address |
| Delivery speed | Overnight to 3 business days | About 2–3 days (not guaranteed) |
| Box sizes | Extra Small through Extra Large, plus tube | Small, Medium (two versions) and Large |
| Free boxes | Yes, for Express services | Yes, for Priority Mail |
If you’re open to UPS or USPS, ParcelPath offers up to 89% off USPS and up to 85% off UPS with no subscription or per-label fee. You can compare USPS and UPS rates for your box in the ParcelPath calculator. For tracking once a FedEx box is on its way, see our FedEx tracking and delivery guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the FedEx box sizes?
FedEx offers an Extra Small Box (7-1/4 x 2-1/2 x 4-11/16 in), two Small Boxes, two Medium Boxes, two Large Boxes and two Extra Large Boxes, plus a 6 x 6 x 38 in tube. The Large Box comes as 12-3/8 x 3 x 17-1/2 in or 8-3/4 x 7-3/4 x 11-1/4 in. All are free for FedEx Express shipments.
How much weight can a FedEx One Rate box hold?
FedEx One Rate boxes, Paks and tubes must weigh under 50 lbs, and One Rate envelopes under 10 lbs. If a packed box reaches 50 lbs or more, FedEx bills it at standard rates based on weight or dimensional weight and zone instead. USPS Flat Rate Boxes, by comparison, accept up to 70 lbs.
Can I use free FedEx boxes for FedEx Ground?
No. FedEx’s free branded packaging is only for FedEx Express services, FedEx Express Saver and select international services. For FedEx Ground or Home Delivery, use your own box or buy one at a FedEx Office store. One Rate pricing isn’t available for Ground shipments either.
How are FedEx box prices calculated?
With FedEx One Rate, the price depends on the packaging type, the Express service and one of three zone groups, regardless of weight under 50 lbs. With standard rates, the price depends on the service, the zone and the greater of actual weight and dimensional weight, which FedEx calculates by dividing the box’s cubic inches by 139.
Sources
- FedEx: Flat-rate shipping with FedEx One Rate (packaging dimensions, weight limits and rules)
- FedEx: Packaging and supplies, complimentary packaging terms (fedex.com)
- FedEx: 2026 FedEx Service Guide, dimensional weight (fedex.com)
- USPS: Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes
