No standards in dimensions

Rant activated. Why is there no standardisation in product dimensions?

1. Cannot even agree on the 3 dimensions names. You've got the Length and Width that everyone agrees* upon. Then you have either height or depth. Maybe it depends on the type of product. But even for the same type of products, both are used.
   
2. *Everyone uses length and width BUT some refer to the width as the length and others refer to the length as the width.
3. When the denomination of the dimensions is not listed (L,W,H/D). Have to spend time to figure out which measurements are for which dimensions because again there is no standard in the order of the dimensions. If there was, the letters wouldn't be needed.
4. When not even the same manufacturer sticks to one standard and makes it more time consuming to compare their own products.

Rant deactivated. Anyone else feels the same? Or am I doing this all wrong?

 

I've always used the terms tall and wide. Example: How tall is it? How wide is it?

 

Having some AutoCAD background, those things you mentioned just have to be standardised. And yes, you are not the only one having this problem.
But people being people, will care less and say whatever.

 

I just recently read this



The later parts of the book changed my thoughts about how or what exact measurements and their descriptors actually mean.

 

Length, Width and Thickness....

 

And the worst part? Not using metric system to give those measurements.

 

here in the states we must learn both..."gallon of milk and 2 liter Coke" ..."1/2 inch wrench or 13 mm wrench"...should I get a quart of whiskey or a liter? confusing I tell ya...Grrrrr....

 

Fixed it for you, and suddenly you know the answer

Here it's usually length, width, height, but it's true, this is a highly contextual thing

 

Nooo!...its length, width, and how tall is it!.....

ie: how tall is Tom Cruise?...

 

I have always said:

Length, Breadth and Height - with all beginnings of measurement at the left side as looking at it.

So, Length = left front to left back
Breadth = Left front to right front
Height = Left front base to left front peak

This is assuming the object is a cuboid of some kind.

 

Dimensions are referenced from facing the product. For a box like object, width is the side to side dimension. Length is more commonly used on an object that is primarily elongated on one axis, like a pole or a rope. Regardless of which is used length and width are the only two that are some what interchangeable but their use should not be that confusing. When I order a curtain rod, even though it comes in a box, I prefer the measurement of the rod be listed as length, to fit the width of the window.