What's the difference between 'Karton' and 'Schachtel' in German? They both mean box from my understanding.?

Question

What's the difference between 'Karton' and 'Schachtel' in German? They both mean box from my understanding.?

Answer 1

There is no difference. Whether a box is called "Schachtel" or "Karton" depends on its purpose. For example a shoe box is called "Schuhkarton". No one would say "Schuhschachtel". But if a box with the very same dimensions as a shoe box was made without the intention to place shoes in it, you could call it a "Schachtel" too.

Answer 2

Karton-- cardboard box

schactel-- package, not necessarily cardboard or a box

Answer 3

karton means cardboard box.....schachtel means box or pack

Answer 4

Even as a native speaker I cannot make out any big difference between the two words. Both words are used for a cardboard box, when a box is made of any other material we would normally not call it "Schachtel" or "Karton". I think that you can use both synonymously in most cases.