It appears to be an easy question. How many cigarettes are in a pack? We all have a guess. The fact is, there is a difference based on what you buy and where you happen to be.

Pack sizes have changed over the years. Laws in many countries now set clear rules. These rules affect what you see on the shelf.

This guide explains it all in plain words. You will learn the standard pack size, the carton count and the rules in the UK. We also look at the packaging side of things.

The simple answer to the question of how many cigarettes in a pack will be 20. This is also the legal minimum amount in the UK, meaning that you cannot get less than 20 cigarettes in a pack.

Therefore if someone was to ask you how many cigarettes in a pack in the UK your quick answer would be 20. While some shops may have larger packs they will never have smaller ones.

No matter the length of cigarette, king size or longer 100s all have 20 cigarettes inside. They're just longer!

They vary from country to country. Most use 20, though some allow larger packs.

And here is the overall picture:

• United Kingdom: 20 is the minimum. Packs of 10 are not permitted.
• United States: Usually 20 per pack.
• Australia: packs of 20 is the typical size, but other sizes available are 25 and 30.
• Other markets: some smaller packs, such as 10, are still available here, though not as much.

It's a pack of packs. This is the bulk quantity for shops and wholesalers. One carton consists of 10 packs, so that's 200 cigarettes (10 packs x 20 cigarettes each).

This is the figure you're thinking of when you wonder how many cigarettes are in a carton. Retailers will stock and order in cartons. It just makes counting easier.

It also applies to weight and storage. The ten packs piled up are very light and therefore small and convenient for shipping, stacking etc.

Different packs do not always mean different numbers. However, it cannot alter the quantity in the first place, so the shape of a box has no bearing on the number of cigarettes in a pack. Let's see what the common types are.

• Hard pack: a sturdy cardboard box with a flip-top lid. 20 cigarettes.
• Soft pack: a wrapper of paper or foil. It also contains 20.
• Slide pack: box you slide open. 20 in here as well.
• King size: 100s same number different length.

There is a reason behind this rule. Under UK law, packs must be big enough to carry large health warnings. These warnings cover a big part of the front and back of the box.

A tiny pack could not hold them clearly. So the law sets a minimum of 20 cigarettes. This makes the pack large enough for the warnings and the standard design.

The rules also ban bright logos and fancy designs. Packs use a plain colour, a set font and a standard layout. Only the brand name appears, in small plain text.

Rules make this harder. Packs and cartons must follow strict design and labelling laws. That leaves little room for error. Cartons must be strong, neat and easy to stack.

Size also counts here. A 200 cigarette carton has to be a precise and firm fit. Loose cartons shift in transit and broken cartons can't be sold.

20 cigarettes in a pack, ten packs in a carton (200 cigarettes). The minimum legal requirement in the UK is also 20.

Pack style affects appearance not quantity. UK law and other regulations influence how packs are produced and marketed. Whether you're selling to retail or wholesale, effective packaging safeguards your stock and saves you money on packaging costs and regulatory fines. Select the perfect fit for a made-to-measure box with The Custom Boxes UK.

1. How many cigarettes are in a pack in the UK?

In general there will be 20 cigarettes per pack. This is also the smallest amount that can be legally purchased.

2. How many cigarettes are in a pack in the US?

Most brands have 20 cigarettes in a pack as it is similar to the UK.

3. How many cigarettes are in a carton?

There would normally be 10 packs in a carton. This would be 200 cigarettes.

4. Do king size packs have more cigarettes?

No. King size and 100s packs also generally contain 20 cigarettes. It's just that the cigarettes are longer.

5. Why don't they have packs of 10 in the UK?

In 2017 bans were put in place on packs less than 20. The rule is there to ensure the packs have a large enough size for the health warnings.