C-Flute Corrugated — The Most Common Flute Profile

What Is C-Flute?

C-flute is the most widely used flute profile in the corrugated packaging industry, found in approximately 80 percent of all corrugated fiberboard boxes manufactured. It measures 3.2 to 4.0 mm in height with 39 to 43 flutes per linear foot — a profile that sits between the larger A-flute and the smaller B-flute.

C-flute’s dominance stems from its ability to deliver an excellent balance of cushioning, compression strength, flat crush resistance, and material efficiency. It is the default choice for general-purpose shipping and the starting point for most packaging specifications.

C-Flute Specifications

• Flute height: 3.2–4.0 mm (approximately 126–157 mils)
• Flutes per foot: 39–43
• Caliper (single wall): Approximately 4 mm including linerboard
• Take-up factor: Approximately 1.42:1

Why C-Flute Dominates the Market

C-flute became the industry standard because it provides the best all-around performance for the widest range of applications. Its advantages include:

• Balanced cushioning: Sufficient flute height to absorb shocks and vibrations during normal shipping and handling.
• Strong compression: Excellent stacking strength for palletized storage and distribution.
• Good print surface: Adequate smoothness for commercial-quality flexographic printing.
• Material efficiency: Uses less medium paper per square foot than A-flute while providing comparable protection for most products.
• Wide availability: Virtually all corrugated manufacturers run C-flute, ensuring competitive pricing and broad supply.

Common Applications

C-flute is the default specification for an enormous range of packaging applications:

• General shipping boxes for consumer products
• E-commerce fulfillment packaging
• Food and beverage cases
• Household goods packaging
• Industrial parts containers
• Moving boxes and storage containers

At President Container, C-flute is our highest-volume flute profile, used across industries from food service to industrial manufacturing. President Industrial Products also stocks standard C-flute boxes for immediate shipment.

When to Choose a Different Flute

While C-flute handles most situations, alternative profiles may be better suited for specific needs. A-flute provides greater cushioning for extremely fragile products. B-flute offers better flat crush resistance and space savings for dense, heavy products. E-flute and F-flute deliver superior print quality for retail packaging and point-of-purchase displays.

C-flute is also commonly combined with B-flute in BC-flute double wall construction for heavy-duty applications that exceed single wall capacity.