How to Measure an Envelope

Flat Envelopes

Before measuring an envelope, ALWAYS place the envelope before you with the seal flap at the top. When describing the size of an envelope, the shortest dimension is always given FIRST, followed by the longest dimension second. This practice does NOT distinguish the height from the width however. Simply considering the position of the flap is the first step in describing envelopes.

When an envelope opens on the shortest side, it's called a catalog or an open end envelope. When an envelope opens on the longest side, it's called a booklet or an open side envelope.

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Expansion Envelopes

FIRST – ALWAYS place the envelope before you with the seal flap at the top. When describing the size of an envelope, the shortest dimension is ALWAYS given first, followed by the longest dimension second. When an envelope opens on the shortest side, it's called a catalog or an open end envelope. In instances where the envelope opens on the long side, i.e., the envelope is a booklet or an open side envelope, DO NOT include the expansion dimensions in your measurement. Measure from the first fold of the flap expansion to the first score of the bottom expansion.

SECOND – With the flap at the top, measure the longest dimension second.  When an envelope opens on the longest side, it’s called a booklet or an open side envelope.  In instances where the envelope opens on the short side, i.e., the envelope is a catalog or an open end envelope, DO NOT include the expansion dimensions in your measurement.  Measure from the first fold of the flap expansion to the first score of the bottom expansion.  

THIRD - determine the "depth" of the expansion. That is the thickness that the envelope expands to. This is sometimes referred to as the Gusset.

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