# How to properly read dimensions for a 3D printer?

I'm trying to find the correct way to read and understand the dimensions of a 3D printer. For example, if I read the following dimensions for the Robo 3D R1 Plus as 10x9x8 Inch - I want to know what 10 stands for (does it mean print height?), 9 (depth?), and 8 (width?); etc. I'm not sure if I'm assuming correctly.

I know this should be simple, but I'm not sure where to reference the proper ordering, respective to each aforementioned dimension.

UPDATE

While looking at Makerbot's Replicator technical specifications, I see them listing their dimensions as follows:

Build Volume

29.5 L X 19.5 W X 16.5 H CM
[11.6 X 7.6 X 6.5 IN]


So, if I'm reading this correctly, can I infer that 11.6 IN is referring to the length/depth, 7.6 IN is referring to the width, and 6.5 IN is referring to the height. Would this be the universal/standard way of referring to build specifications for all 3D printers?

• LWH is a very common order for measurements, but it's not specific to 3D printing at all. – Tom van der Zanden Sep 25 '16 at 16:00
• Typically LWH is transferable to XYZ dimensions in machine tools (3D Printers, Mills, Lathes, Lasers, etc). ie Length=X Distance, Width=Y Distance, Z=Height. – tbm0115 Sep 28 '16 at 14:09
• The 11.6 value, as L, would be the x direction typically, and therefore the left to right as you are facing the machine. W would be the front to back "depth" or y dimension. Your notation of "length/depth" is problematic, I think. – JKEngineer Sep 28 '16 at 18:24
• Just a thought, that it mostly matters to distinguish the Height particularly. Length and Width are somewhat symmetrical - you can re-orientate the print by 90 degrees with little consequence; you usually cannot do that vertically, and it makes a huge difference to the structure of a print if you do. If your printer has a moving bed, the non-symmetry of X and Y might make more of a difference (I don't own a moving-bed printer: does that actually make a difference to your X/Y positioning choices?). – SusanW Sep 29 '16 at 7:24