Ulkomitat

Ulkomitat is a Finnish term referring to the external or outer dimensions of an object. In Finnish technical and consumer contexts, ulkomitat describe the overall size of a product, package, or container and are usually given as length, width, and height. Measurements are taken from the outermost surfaces, and for objects with irregular shapes the outer envelope or bounding box is used.

Ulkomitat are distinct from sisämitat (internal dimensions), which indicate the usable space inside the object. Tolerances may apply to ulkomitat, specifying allowable deviations from the nominal size. Accurate reporting of ulkomitat is important for fit, stacking, packaging design, and compatibility with storage and transportation systems.

In practice, ulkomitat are typically reported in metric units (millimeters or centimeters) in Finland and many European contexts. In international settings, outer dimensions may also be provided in inches to accommodate global trade and consumer electronics specifications. The concept is applied across product design, cataloguing, packaging, logistics, and transport planning, where the external size influences handling, storage, and shipping costs.

Related terms include sisämitat (internal dimensions), tolerances, and dimensional weight, the latter of which is often based on outer dimensions in freight calculations. Understanding ulkomitat helps ensure proper fit with packaging, shelving, and shipping constraints, and it provides a standardized reference for comparing product sizes.