How many packs of cigarettes are in a carton?
Every standard carton sold in the United States contains 10 packs of 20 cigarettes each — 200 cigarettes total. This is universal across Marlboro, Newport, Camel, American Spirit, Pall Mall, Winston, and every other brand.
How many packs in a carton of cigarettes?
10 packs are in a carton of cigarettes — period. This is the standard for every brand sold in the United States, from Marlboro to Newport to store-brand generics. A carton is simply a cardboard box containing 10 individual cigarette packs. Each pack holds 20 cigarettes, giving you 200 cigarettes per carton.
Cartons have been standardized at 10 packs in the US since the 1950s. There is no brand variation: a Marlboro carton, a Newport carton, and a generic carton all hold the same 10 packs. The only thing that changes between brands is the price, not the count.
Carton standards by country
The US standard (10 packs × 20 = 200 cigarettes) is not universal. Other countries use different pack counts or cigarettes-per-pack:
| Country | Packs / carton | Cigs / pack | Cigs / carton | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 10 | 20 | 200 | Standard since the 1950s |
| Canada | 10 | 25 | 250 | 25-stick packs are most common |
| United Kingdom | 10 | 20 | 200 | Matches US standard |
| Australia | 10 | 20 | 200 | Higher per-stick price |
| European Union | 10 | 19 | 190 | Some markets still 20 |
| Japan | 10 | 20 | 200 | Domestic packs 20 |
Sources: FTC Cigarette Report (US 10-pack standard); Health Canada (25-stick packs); UK Department of Health; EU Tobacco Products Directive 2014/40/EU; Japan Tobacco Inc. public filings.
Carton prices by US state
Carton prices vary by state because state excise taxes vary. The cheapest carton is in Missouri at $52.10; the most expensive is in New York at $128.50. The US national average is $98.30. See the full state-by-state breakdown on the carton prices by state page.
How much do you save by buying cartons?
Most US retailers discount cartons by $2–5 versus ten individual packs.
A carton of cigarettes at the national average price of $98.30 works out to $9.83 per pack. Most retailers charge slightly more than $9.83 for an individual pack — typically $10.13 to $10.33. Over 10 packs, that adds up to $3–5 more than the carton price.
For a pack-a-day smoker, buying cartons instead of single packs saves roughly $75–180 per year in carton discounts alone. The much larger savings come from quitting — at $98.30 per carton × 36.5 cartons per year, a pack-a-day smoker spends about $3588 per year on cartons. Use the quit-smoking calculator to see your exact number, including what that money could become if invested at 7%.
Packs-per-carton FAQ.
The five questions readers actually ask about cartons.
Frequently asked questions
More tools for your journey
Every calculator is free. No signup needed.
Cigarette Prices by State
2026 state-by-state pack prices — see your state tax and cost.
Carton Prices by State
How much is a carton in your state? 2026 carton prices for all 50 states + DC.
Explore →Marlboro Carton Prices
Marlboro carton price by state. Red, Gold, Light, Menthol carton costs.
Explore →Newport Carton Prices
Newport carton price by state. Newport 100s, Menthol, Red, Platinum.
Explore →Cost Calculator
See how much smoking really costs you.
Explore →Health Timeline
See how your body heals — 20 minutes to 15 years.
Explore →Life Expectancy
How many days has smoking cost you so far?
Explore →Pack Years
Medical-standard risk assessment.
Explore →Lung Age
The NHS concept that measures your real lung age.
Explore →