   Can someone explain to me how dimensions work?
  I'm new to selling on ebay and want to put up a couple of items.  Problem is, I'm not sure how one goes about differentiating something like height from width, so I can plug these numbers into USPS' shipping calculator.  I've tried to figure it out on my own but am just not sure.Here's an example image I found on USPS' site that shows various objects and their sizes.  I'm trying to make sense of it but if you look at the tire, the width and length look like they are the same thing.  Same goes for the width and height of the cylinder.  I don't understand what they are trying to convey to me.  So then, how does one tell the difference between an objects width, height and length?   
Quote:Original post by SwordmasterI'm trying to make sense of it but if you look at the tire, the width and length look like they are the same thing.  Same goes for the width and height of the cylinder.  I don't understand what they are trying to convey to me.They are, in a cylinder both will be equal to the diameter. I think they just want a consistent measuring system for all shapes.Quote:Original post by Swordmaster  So then, how does one tell the difference between an objects width, height and length?If their going into a rectangular package it doesn't matter since you can rotate them. just make sure each of your 3 values are all less than one of the boxes 3 values.EDIT:I'm pretty sure they just want to know the volume of the object when put in a rectangular box.   ;  Seems like the general idea is along the lines that length>=width>=height. But also, I think you're looking too much into the details; just pick a general shape that matches some example and determine the size accordingly.   ;  I guess it's related to transportation.Length is usually the greatest dimension.In case of revolved objects (I mean axis-symmetrical objects, cylinder/cone/vase) length is the axis of revolving (even if it's not the greatest dimension). It's a technical convention.I think that explains it pretty good.EDIT: BLIND BLIND BLIND FAIL FAIL FAIL[Edited by - szecs on March 25, 2010 11:21:48 AM];  Same value, different axis.   ;Quote:Original post by SwordmasterI'm trying to make sense of it but if you look at the tire, the width and length look like they are the same thing.  Same goes for the width and height of the cylinder.  I don't understand what they are trying to convey to me.They are the same thing, but one is measured along the "x axis" and the other along the "z axis".  Obviously you'll want to use the smallest "bounding box" to measure.Quote:So then, how does one tell the difference between an objects width, height and length?Going by that picture, the length is measured along whatever axis is longest, followed by width, then height.   ;  Girth appears to be analogous to circumference. If width and length of the tire look like they are the same thing that's because they are. A tire is circular (it had better be) so the width and length must be the same. The dimensions of the two cylinders don't appear to be consistent. What is deemed height in one (the hat box) is deemed length in the other. The rule that cowsarenotevil proposes appears to hold: the length is measured along whatever axis is longest, followed by width, then height.That rule doesn't appear to fit the drawing of the large cylinder, where the height appears larger than the width, but pointing back to the geometry of a circle, the two measurements must be the same and the discrepancy is simply an artefact of the drawing.   ;Quote:Original post by LessBreadThe rule that cowsarenotevil proposes appears to hold: the length is measured along whatever axis is longest, followed by width, then height.  I had to read everyone's post several times but I get what you guys are saying.  Anyways, I'll stick with the proposed rule that, length>=width>=height.  That way I don't have to think about it too much, haha.  Thanks everyone for your help.;Quote:Original post by SwordmasterQuote:Original post by LessBreadThe rule that cowsarenotevil proposes appears to hold: the length is measured along whatever axis is longest, followed by width, then height.  I had to read everyone's post several times but I get what you guys are saying.  Anyways, I'll stick with the proposed rule that, length>=width>=height.  That way I don't have to think about it too much, haha.  Thanks everyone for your help.Heh. That's what happens when our over-analytical developer-minds meet a chart designed to be read by Joe Average... I'm sure my heavily math-challenged Dad would've already packed the box, while I would still be thinking about how the UPS dimensions map to the axes of an absolute coordinate system, and how the girth seems to be absolutely inconsistent with the spherical polar projection of the item... [grin];Quote:designed to be read by Joe Or Fry.   