Stretch Film Calculator

| Added in Business Finance

What is Stretch Film and Why Should You Care?

Ever found yourself staring at a mountain of packages wondering how in the world you're going to secure them for shipping? Enter Stretch Film! This clear plastic marvel is your go-to solution for wrapping and protecting those precious goods. Why should you care? Because it ensures your items stay safe from moisture, dirt, and damage during transport. Trusted by shippers around the world, stretch film is the unsung hero of the packaging world, providing that snug fit and security that keeps everything in place.

How to Calculate Stretch Film Length

So, you're ready to wrap but need to know how much stretch film you'll need. This is where the Stretch Film Calculator comes into play. You'll need to grab some basic measurements and plug them into a simple formula.

The formula is:

[\text{Stretch Film Length} = \frac{\text{Package Length} \times \text{Package Width} \times \text{Package Height}}{\text{Stretch Film Width}}]

Where:

  • Package Length is the length of the package (ft or m)
  • Package Width is the width of the package (ft or m)
  • Package Height is the height of the package (ft or m)
  • Stretch Film Width is the width of the stretch film (ft or m)

To calculate the total footage of stretch film needed for a package, divide the volume of the package by the width of the stretch film.

Calculation Example

Let's walk through a quick example so you can see this in action.

  1. Determine the length, width, and height of the package:

    • Length (L): 6 ft
    • Width (W): 3 ft
    • Height (H): 5 ft
  2. Determine the width of the roll of stretch film:

    • Stretch Film Width (SFW): 2 ft
  3. Plug the values into the formula:

[\text{Stretch Film Length} = \frac{6 \text{ ft} \times 3 \text{ ft} \times 5 \text{ ft}}{2 \text{ ft}}]

[\text{Stretch Film Length} = \frac{90 \text{ ft}^3}{2 \text{ ft}} = 45 \text{ ft}]

You'll need 45 feet of stretch film to wrap your package.

To Sum Up

Whether you're wrapping pallets of goods, individual boxes, or even furniture, knowing how to calculate the correct amount of stretch film is essential. It saves you time, money, and ensures your items arrive in perfect condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stretch film is a clear plastic wrap used to secure and protect packages during shipping. It keeps items safe from moisture, dirt, and damage while holding everything in place.

The formula divides the package volume (length times width times height) by the stretch film width to estimate the linear footage needed.

Yes, this calculation provides a baseline estimate. Consider adding 10-20% extra for overlap and secure wrapping.

Common widths are 12, 15, and 18 inches. Wider film covers more area per wrap but may be harder to handle on smaller packages.