{
    "name": "Carton Production Cost Calculator",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-production-cost-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-production-cost-calculator.md",
    "category": "Manufacturing & packaging",
    "description": "Build up the cost of a carton from board weight and price, printing, conversion and other costs, add overhead and markup, and get the unit price.",
    "summary": "Carton cost is mostly board: weight times price per kilogram. Add printing, conversion and other direct costs, load overhead, then add your markup to reach a selling price.",
    "also_called": [
        "Corrugated box costing calculator",
        "Box price calculator"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "board_weight",
            "label": "Board weight per carton",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "500",
            "unit": "g"
        },
        {
            "name": "board_price",
            "label": "Board price per kg",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "0.80"
        },
        {
            "name": "printing",
            "label": "Printing cost per carton",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "0.10",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "conversion",
            "label": "Conversion cost per carton",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "0.15",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "other",
            "label": "Other direct cost per carton",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "0.05",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "overhead",
            "label": "Overhead on direct cost",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "20",
            "unit": "%",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "markup",
            "label": "Markup on total cost",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "25",
            "unit": "%",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "quantity",
            "label": "Order quantity",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "5000"
        },
        {
            "name": "currency",
            "label": "Currency",
            "type": "currency",
            "default": "USD"
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "unit_price",
            "label": "Selling price per carton",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "unit_cost",
            "label": "Total cost per carton",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "board_cost",
            "label": "Board cost per carton",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "direct_cost",
            "label": "Direct cost per carton",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "overhead_cost",
            "label": "Overhead per carton",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "order_value",
            "label": "Order value",
            "format": "currency"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "Board = Weight (kg) × Price/kg;  Direct = Board + Printing + Conversion + Other;  Cost = Direct × (1 + Overhead%);  Price = Cost × (1 + Markup%)",
        "variables": {
            "Overhead%": "factory overhead as a share of direct cost",
            "Markup%": "profit added on top of total cost"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "board_weight": "500",
            "board_price": "0.80",
            "printing": "0.10",
            "conversion": "0.15",
            "other": "0.05",
            "overhead": "20",
            "markup": "25",
            "quantity": "5000",
            "currency": "USD"
        },
        "steps": [
            "Board = 0.5 kg × 0.80 = 0.40.",
            "Direct = 0.40 + 0.10 + 0.15 + 0.05 = 0.70.",
            "Overhead = 20% × 0.70 = 0.14, so cost = 0.84.",
            "Price = 0.84 × 1.25 = 1.05; 5000 cartons = 5250."
        ],
        "result": "Each carton costs 0.84 to make and sells for 1.05 with a 25% markup, so the order is worth 5250."
    },
    "interpretation": "Markup is on cost, so a 25% markup is a 20% margin on the price. To price from a target margin instead, use the Carton Quote Margin Calculator.",
    "assumptions": [
        "All costs are per finished carton and already allow for normal waste.",
        "Overhead is charged as a percentage of direct cost."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "One-off costs such as printing plates and cutting dies are not included; spread them over the order in the quote calculator.",
        "Taxes and freight out are excluded."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "Where do I get board weight?",
            "answer": "From the Carton Board Weight Calculator: blank area times combined GSM."
        },
        {
            "question": "Is markup the same as margin?",
            "answer": "No. Markup is profit ÷ cost; margin is profit ÷ price. 25% markup equals 20% margin."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [],
    "related": [
        {
            "name": "Carton Board Weight Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-board-weight-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Carton Quote Margin Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-quote-margin-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Markup Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/markup-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Profit Margin Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/profit-margin-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": null,
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}