Calculate the size of a processed collection in cubic feet with this formula: LxWxH in inches divided by 1728 = total c.f. per unit.

Some common container measurements are:

Document case legal size 15.5 x 5 x 10.5": 0.471 c.f.

Half document case legal size 15.5 x 2.5 x 10.5": 0.235 c.f.

Document case letter size 12.5 x 5 x 10.5": 0.380 c.f.

Full size record storage carton 10 x 12 x 15": 1.0 c.f.

Oversize flat box 36.5 x 48.5 x 1.5": 1.54 c.f.

Oversize flat box 23 x 31 x 3": 1.24 c.f.

Oversize flat box 20 x 24 x 3": 0.87 c.f.

Oversize flat box 16 x 20 x 3": 0.55 c.f.

Oversize flat box 13 x 18 x 3": 0.41 c.f.

Map drawers 26 x 38 x 2": 1.1 c.f

Map drawers 38 x 50 x 2": 2.2 c.f.

Map drawers 26 x 38 x 4": 2.3 c.f.

Map drawers 38 x 50 x 4": 4.4 c.f.

Roll tubes 38 x 2 x 2": 0.1 c.f.

Roll tubes 50 x 2 x 2": 0.1 c.f.

Roll tubes 38 x 4 x 4": 0.4 c.f.

Roll tubes 50 x 4 x 4": 0.5 c.f.

Processing rates apply to standard archival formats: papers, office files, binders, diaries, and ledger books. Formats such as electronic files, audiovisual materials, slides, photographs, drawings, objects, and autograph collections may require more time and may not be best represented by estimates in cubic feet.

Processing Rate A (10 or fewer hours per cubic foot)

Used for collections that arrive in an identifiable order with recognizable series, and require minimal arrangement by the processor.  

Processing Rate B (15 hours per cubic foot)

Used for collections that arrive mostly in order and have some identifiable series, with few organizational problems. Most collections can be processed at this rate.

Processing Rate C (25 hours per cubic foot)

Used for collections that arrive disorganized and have no identifiable arrangement. Material types are mixed together, unidentified, and may need significant preservation work.