Are you ordering the correct depth frame or box?

Ordering the correct depth frame or box

When ordering hive boxes and frames, be careful not to assume the word ‘shallow’ as casually used by many bee keepers denotes a specific depth dimension. Western/Illinois/medium box has a depth of 6 and 5/8  inches, and is frequently referred to as a shallow. However, when ordering boxes, you may order a 4 and 3/4 inch for comb honey production kits and a 5 and 5/8 inch is commonly used for short season collection of varietal honeys. Look at the frame sizes in this illustration from "The Beekeeper's Handbook", 5th ed., Sammataro & Avitabile. Numbers 3, 4 and 5 are the frame sizes, each 1/4 inch shorter than its corresponding hive box depth.

If you do end up with shallower depth than you intended to purchase, and cannot return them for refund/credit, you may still be able to use them as moisture/insulation shims.