There is no single “right size” for every food box. A burger box is not chosen from the patty diameter alone; a shawarma box is not selected from the menu name alone; and a pizza box should not be approved before the product layout, height and carrying method are understood. Start with the order exactly as the customer receives it, then choose a box that gives it organised room without crushing it or leaving excessive empty space.
This guide gives restaurants, cafés and food brands a practical starting point. The table below uses product-size examples published by Tiraz Pack, but it is not a universal size chart. Always review the meal after preparation, its additions, sauce containers and closing method before approving a quantity or print run.
What should be measured before choosing a meal box?
- Finished length and width: measure the item as it will be served, not as a loose component before packing.
- Maximum height: include buns, toppings, lids and any closed sauce container, then make sure the closure does not press on the contents.
- Space between components: when an order includes a burger and fries, shawarma and sauces, or more than one dish, measure their packed arrangement together.
- The order journey: consider whether the box will be served in-store, carried away or placed in a delivery bag, because that affects the closure and the product arrangement.
Do not assume that a listed product size is a clear internal dimension. Ask for the dimensions that suit the finished product, and send a photo after preparation if it includes variable components, sauces or tall toppings.
Meal box sizes: published examples for comparison
The sizes below are in centimetres and are taken from product titles published in the store when this guide was prepared. Use them as comparison points, then confirm suitability for your actual product.
| Order type | What to measure | Published size example | Selection note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single burger | The sandwich’s maximum width and finished height, including toppings and wrap paper. | Printed burger box, 12 × 12 × 8 cm | Compare the finished burger height with the lid height before approval. |
| Burger with fries | The burger, fries and sauce containers together in their serving arrangement. | Burger and fries box, 20 × 11 × 6.5 cm | Test the exact arrangement your packing team uses, not a theoretical layout. |
| Shawarma or a meal with additions | The length of the items, the additions and how the lid closes over them. | Shawarma and meal box, 30 × 20 × 7.5 cm | Do not rely on the name alone: a single shawarma order can differ from a complete shawarma meal. |
| Pizza or a flat item in a rectangular layout | Length and width once the item is on the base, plus the height when the lid closes. | Pizza box, 30 × 20 × 7.5 cm | This is a rectangular example; do not automatically apply it to a round pizza without measuring. |
| Everyday rectangular meal | The plate or sandwich dimensions with additions, and the packed height. | Meal box, 24.5 × 15 × 6 cm | Test the lid with every component, not only the main item. |
| Order that needs an integrated carry option | The order’s overall dimensions and how the customer or courier will carry it. | Meal box with handle, 27 × 22 × 12 cm | Review the carrying method and weight arrangement before confirming the final format. |
| Multi-component or divided meal | The number of sections, each item’s dimensions, and the placement of sauces or accompaniments. | Divided meal box, 36.5 × 22 × 5.5 cm | Measure the items within the actual divisions and make sure they do not interfere when the box closes. |
How do you choose a burger box size?
Measure the burger after every layer is in place, not before. Include bun height, cheese, toppings and wrap paper if you use it. If fries or sauces travel inside the same box, test their arrangement with the burger in one sample. You can begin by comparing the 12 × 12 × 8 cm burger box and the 20 × 11 × 6.5 cm burger-and-fries box, then select the format that matches how you actually serve the order.
How do you choose a shawarma and meal box size?
A single shawarma, shawarma with fries or sauce, and a meal with several containers are not identical cases. Arrange the food as it leaves the kitchen, photograph it, and measure it with every addition included. The 30 × 20 × 7.5 cm shawarma and meal box is a published comparison point, while the food and meal packaging collection helps you review wider options.
How do you choose a pizza box size?
Do not start with the word “pizza” alone; start with the shape of the product that will sit on the box base. Measure the length and width or diameter according to the arrangement, then check the height once the crust and toppings are complete. The product should remain suitably stable while carried, and the lid should close without unwanted contact. The 30 × 20 × 7.5 cm pizza box is a published rectangular example, not a general rule for every pizza size or shape.
Do not select the size alone: review closure, delivery and printing
Size is only the starting point. Review how the box opens and closes, and whether the product needs room for sauce cups, utensils or inner paper. Then test the packed box in the normal delivery bag or carrying method. When preparing the print, reserve practical space for the logo, item name, label and any customer instruction, rather than filling every surface with text.
If your menu is varied, one size does not have to serve every item. A small system of two or three formats is often clearer for the team and better for presentation than forcing every order into one box. You can also browse restaurant and café packaging to compare the packaging elements that may accompany an order.
What should you send for a custom size and print enquiry?
- A photo of the order after final preparation, ideally showing how the components are arranged.
- The approximate length, width and height after all ingredients and containers are included.
- The number of items or sections the box needs to accommodate.
- The service method: dine-in, collection, carrying or delivery.
- The required quantity, logo, and any essential colours or wording for print.
Would you like the box to match your real meal arrangement? Send these details through the quote request page so the size, format and print can be reviewed around the product instead of guessed.
Meal box size FAQ
Is one size enough for an entire restaurant menu?
Not always. Compare the actual dimensions of the most frequently ordered meals. If they differ substantially, two or three sizes may be easier to pack and present than one oversized or undersized box for everything.
Should I measure the meal before or after preparation?
Measure it after final preparation: include buns, toppings, paper, closed sauce containers and every item that will go inside the box. Measuring before final arrangement can lead to an unsuitable closure.
How do I choose the height of a burger box?
Use the burger’s maximum height after all toppings are added, then test lid closure on a real sample. Measuring the patty or bun on its own is not enough.
Is a pizza box size determined by diameter only?
No. Diameter matters for a round pizza, but the arranged shape, crust height and closing method matter too. Rectangular formats need their length and width measured instead of being assumed to match a diameter.
Can the restaurant logo and identity be printed on the box?
Custom printing can be requested according to the product and approved specifications. Send the logo, wording and required colours with the size and quantity so the suitable production approach can be reviewed in the quote.
What is the fastest way to get an accurate recommendation?
Send a photo of the packed order, its dimensions after preparation, the number of components, and the serving or delivery method. Those details are more reliable than asking for a size by menu name alone.