Size page
16x20x1 air filter: actual size, MERV, and price
A 16x20x1 is a one-inch-class rectangle furnace or AC filter. Buy the printed size 16x20x1. The panel is smaller than 16 by 20 inches — commonly 15.75 × 19.75 × 0.75, with Filtrete closer to 15.68 × 19.68 × 0.81 or 15.69 × 19.69 × 0.78 and Nordic Pure about 15.5 × 19.5 × 0.75.
Same panel, swapped axes: 20x16x1. We treat 16x20x1 as the canonical label. Order 16x20x1.
Actual size by brand
These numbers are copied from manufacturer or merchant product copy, not from a competitor size chart. Thickness is part of the fit: 1-inch racks take ~¾ inch media.
| Brand | Nominal | Published actual (in.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honeywell 1-inch Standard/High/Ultra Efficiency (MERV 8, 11, and 13) | 16x20x1 | 15.75 × 19.75 × 0.75 | Honeywell Store product specs |
| Amazon Basics 16x20x1 MERV 8 6-pack | 16x20x1 | 15.75 × 19.75 × 0.75 | Amazon product title B088BZTYFP |
| Amazon Basics MERV 5 16x20x1 6-pack | 16x20x1 | 15.75 × 19.75 × 0.75 | Amazon product title “Actual Size: 15.75" × 19.75" × 0.75"” |
| Filtrete 16x20x1 MPR 2200 / MERV 13 | 16x20x1 | 15.69 × 19.69 × 0.78 | Amazon B07FNXPL2S and B013WIDEOK “exact dimensions” |
| Filtrete 16x20x1 MPR 1000 / MERV 11 | 16x20x1 | 15.68 × 19.68 × 0.81 | Amazon B00002N6J9 title “Actual Size 15.68 × 19.68 × 0.81 in” |
| Filtrete 16x20x1 MPR 1900 / MERV 13 (some listings) | 16x20x1 | 15.62 × 19.62 × 0.78 | Amazon 2-pack titles — different figure than the MPR 2200 SKU; measure if the slot is tight |
| Nordic Pure 16x20x1 pleated | 16x20x1 | Approximately 15.5 × 19.5 × 0.75 (15½ × 19½ × ¾) | JB Tools listing for Nordic Pure 16x20x1M13-24 |
If you currently run Nordic Pure (~15.5 × 19.5) and switch to Honeywell (15.75 × 19.75), expect a snugger slide-in. Filtrete’s published actuals also disagree with each other by SKU. Measure the old filter if the slot is tight. Full method: how to measure.
MERV 8 vs 11 vs 13 (facts only)
MERV is ASHRAE 52.2, as summarized by EPA. Higher MERV captures a larger share of smaller particles. It also adds resistance. EPA says to pick at least MERV 13 or as high a rating as your system fan and filter slot can accommodate, and to ask an HVAC technician if you are unsure. A 1-inch MERV 13 is not HEPA. We do not claim health outcomes.
| MERV | EPA average capture efficiency (particle size) | Typical 16x20x1 use |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | ≥20% of 1.0–3.0 µm; ≥70% of 3.0–10.0 µm | Common pleated replacement when the manual does not call for higher |
| 11 | ≥20% of 0.30–1.0 µm; ≥65% of 1.0–3.0 µm; ≥85% of 3.0–10.0 µm | Mid-grade 1-inch pleat (Filtrete MPR 1000 is commonly labeled MERV 11) |
| 13 | ≥50% of 0.30–1.0 µm; ≥85% of 1.0–3.0 µm; ≥90% of 3.0–10.0 µm | Higher-efficiency 1-inch; confirm the furnace/air handler can take the extra pressure drop |
Source: U.S. EPA, “What is a MERV rating?”, last updated 14 Jan 2026. Filtrete also prints an MPR number; MPR is 3M’s scale, not MERV. Compare MERV to MERV.
Pack prices checked 30 Aug 2026
These are public shelf/cart prices we recorded on 30 Aug 2026. They are not live. Shipping, subscribe-and-save, and store-only deals will move them. Per-filter math is pack price ÷ count, rounded to the cent.
| Listing | MERV | Pack | Price that day | Per filter | Merchant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeywell 16x20x1 Standard Efficiency | 8 | 4 | $26.95 | $6.74 | Honeywell Store |
| Honeywell 16x20x1 Standard Efficiency | 8 | 12 | $71.95 | $6.00 | Honeywell Store |
| Nordic Pure 16x20x1 pleated (reseller) | 8 | 12 | $79.19 | $6.60 | JB Tools |
| Filtrete 16x20x1 MPR 1000 Allergen Defense | 11 | 1 | $13.49 | $13.49 | Target |
| Filtrete 16x20x1 MPR 1000 | 11 | 2 | $21.99 | $11.00 | Target |
| Honeywell 16x20x1 High Efficiency | 11 | 4 | $30.95 | $7.74 | Honeywell Store |
| Honeywell 16x20x1 High Efficiency | 11 | 12 | $82.95 | $6.91 | Honeywell Store |
| Honeywell 16x20x1 Ultra Efficiency | 13 | 4 | $60.95 | $15.24 | Honeywell Store |
| Honeywell 16x20x1 Ultra Efficiency | 13 | 12 | $170.95 | $14.25 | Honeywell Store |
| Nordic Pure 16x20x1 pleated (reseller) | 13 | 24 | $197.99 | $8.25 | JB Tools |
Observed range that day for ordinary pleated 16x20x1: about $6.00–$6.74/filter at MERV 8 in multi-packs, $7–$13 at MERV 11, $8–$15 at MERV 13, with singles costing more than multi-packs. Nordic Pure’s 16x20x1 MERV 8 24-pack was not listed; the JB Tools 12-pack is the reseller snapshot. Target’s Filtrete 6-pack page loaded without a public price in the fetch, so that pack is omitted rather than guessed. Walmart Filtrete product pages returned a bot check, so those pack prices are omitted rather than guessed.
Where to buy
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It does not change the price you pay.
- Honeywell Store Current 1-inch 16x20x1, actual 15.75 × 19.75 × 0.75. Example: MERV 11 12-pack.
- Walmart Filtrete 16x20x1 MPR 1000 / MERV 11 packs: Filtrete 4-pack listing (other pack counts on the same product family).
- Target Same Filtrete 2-pack: Target A-15113337.
- Amazon Search this size: 16x20x1 furnace filter.
- Home Depot Category for this size (pickup): 16x20x1 air filters.
- AirFilters.com Custom and stock 16x20x1 cuts: airfilters.com.
- Nordic Pure Reseller listing with published actual 15.5 × 19.5 × 0.75: JB Tools 16x20x1M13-24.
No ranking. Stock and price change. If the slot is an odd fraction that none of these actual sizes match, measure first — that is not a 16x20x1 SKU.
Sources (accessed 30 Aug 2026)
- EPA MERV table: epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv-rating (updated 14 Jan 2026)
- Honeywell Store 16x20x1 MERV 8/11/13 pack pages (prices and 15.75×19.75×0.75)
- Target Filtrete MPR 1000 16x20x1 1-pack $13.49, 2-pack $21.99 (6-pack page omitted a public price)
- Amazon Basics B088BZTYFP actual size field; Filtrete Amazon B07FNXPL2S, B013WIDEOK, B00002N6J9, and MPR 1900 titles
- JB Tools Nordic Pure 16x20x1M8-12 ($79.19) and 16x20x1M13-24 (15.5×19.5×0.75, $197.99)