# Why are Netflix envelopes rectangular? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 28, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082 "2005-11-28T17:52:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Corporate\_Hippie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/65b543/32.png) [@Corporate\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corporate_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082/1 "2005-11-28T17:52:30Z")
Why aren’t they just square to accomodate the size and shape of the DVD? Why is there that extraneous flappy piece of paper that you can’t even put stuff into anyway? Is there some rule that says envelopes have to be rectangles? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082/2 "2005-11-28T18:03:42Z")
It’s difficult to imagine a circular re-sealable envelope. Even if you could do it, it would be more complex and expensive than a rectangular one. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082/3 "2005-11-28T18:06:48Z")
I think the OP is proposing a square, rather than a rectangle. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082/4 "2005-11-28T18:10:13Z")
The USPS requires rectangular-shaped envelopes that fit a defined L to W ratio. Anything that falls outside the ratio, like a square or an extra long rectangle (to mail a necktie, perhaps?), needs special processing. That requires extra postage and may slow down the delivery – two very undesirable things. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082/5 "2005-11-28T18:10:23Z")
The post office has regulations about the size and shape of mail. I imagine that one reason is that netflix want to ship as cheaply as possible. > [@](#): > > Unusual Shapes and Sizes > Sometimes a piece of mail requires additional postage because it is a certain shape or size that is difficult to process on mail sorting machines. To make sure you’re paying the correct postage, visit the domestic rate calculator or call 1·800·ASK·USPS. These are examples of mail that could require additional postage: > > ``` > * Square envelopes > * Packages larger than 34 inches long, or 17 inches wide, or 17 inches high > * Envelopes on which the address is written parallel to the shorter edge > * Packages weighing more than 35 pounds > * Books and printed material weighing more than 25 pounds > * Tubes and rolls > > ``` [http://www.usps.com/customersguide/dmm100.htm#WhatAreYouMailing](http://www.usps.com/customersguide/dmm100.htm#WhatAreYouMailing) ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082/6 "2005-11-28T18:47:27Z")
very interesting. Zip rentals canada also uses rectangular envelopes with a flappy bit on the side, and I wondered. Is there any reason why being rectangular makes the envelopes easier to process, or is it just postal bureaucracy?? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082/7 "2005-11-28T18:58:50Z")
Square envelopes tend to tumble randomly through the sorters, rather than staying “right side up” so the scanners can’t read the address properly. This makes them what the USPS calls “non-machinable” and they need hands-on care. A few weeks ago, I picked out a birthday card for someone that came in a square envelope. Where the stamp goes was the notation that two stamps were required. I don’t think the non-machinable surcharge is actually double, but it’s easier to say “two stamps” instead of "go to the post office, wait in line, and have them tell you to pay an additional nine cents and have them stick a nine-cent postage meter tape next to the stamp, looking q ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082/8 "2005-11-28T18:59:08Z")
A square envelope could fit on a conveyor belt in 8 different positions (4 rotations and 2 sides). I’m sure it’s not terribly difficult to design a conveyor system that could scan the bar codes on the outsides and discern what movie it was and where it was headed, and it would probably work in all eight orientations. But if you can change envelope size and eliminate half of those “wrong” orientations, you’ve saved your processing machinery several steps on each envelope, and you probably don’t have to invest as much in your infrastructure. From the postal regulations, which ask that you don’t use “square envelopes” or place the address “parallel to the shorter edge” I imagine that the USPS scanners use the envelope’s shape to determine the orientation of the bar codes and text. Netflix probably sent researchers there, since the USPS is a key component of their business model. They may have even picked a shape that was _idealized_ for the USPS scanners, and then matched their own in-house processing facilities to the USPS’s best practices. ---
**Author:** ![Nimue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d26b3c/32.png) [@Nimue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nimue)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2005, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-netflix-envelopes-rectangular/333082/9 "2005-11-29T17:27:18Z")
I was at Hallmark recently and picked out a square card with a square envelope. When I went to check-out, the lady asked me if I were mailing it or giving it in person. I said I wasn’t sure, and did it matter? She said if I were mailing it, then I should use a rectangular envelope as it costs extra postage for a square one! So she gave me a large rectangular envelope to go with it instead of the original square one. I thought it was rather odd, considering I was going to use a much larger envelope as a result (but still small enough to use a 37 cent stamp). So I appreciate the explanations in this thread.