Full Depth vs WSP vs Ideal: Australian Beehive Box and Frame Sizes Explained
Walk into any Australian bee club and you will hear three words thrown around as if everyone knows them: full depth, WSP and Ideal. They are the three Langstroth box depths used here, and the frames that go in them are different sizes too. Mix them up and you end up with frames that do not fit, comb built in the wrong place, and a box you cannot lift.
Quick answer: full depth is the tallest box and the standard for the brood nest. WSP is a medium depth, and Ideal is the shallowest. WSP and Ideal are popular for honey supers because a full box is lighter to lift. Frames must match the box depth, so decide your super depth before you buy frames and foundation.
Key takeaways
- Three depths: full depth (tallest), WSP (medium), Ideal (shallowest).
- Brood boxes are almost always full depth. Supers can be any of the three.
- Frames are depth-specific. A full depth frame will not fit a WSP or Ideal box.
- Pick one super depth and stick to it so every frame and box in the apiary is interchangeable.
The three depths
| Box | Depth | Typical use | Weight when full |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full depth | Tallest | Brood box; honey super for strong backs | Heaviest |
| WSP | Medium | Honey super; some beekeepers run brood in WSP | Noticeably lighter |
| Ideal | Shallowest | Honey super; comb honey | Lightest |
All three are available as 8-frame or 10-frame boxes, and all three use the same footprint, so they stack on each other without adapters. Only the height, and therefore the frame, changes. Browse the full range in beehive boxes.
Full depth: the brood standard
A full depth box gives the queen the largest uninterrupted area of comb to lay in, which is why it is the default brood box across Australia. A full depth frame of capped honey is also the heaviest thing you will lift in beekeeping, so many people use full depth for brood and something shallower above the queen excluder. Our flat-pack finger-joint boxes and assembled and wired full depth frames are the matching pair.
WSP: the middle ground
WSP sits between the other two. It holds more honey per box than Ideal while being far easier on the back than full depth, which makes it a common choice for honey supers in Queensland and New South Wales. Some beekeepers run their brood nest in two WSP boxes instead of one full depth, which gives flexibility when splitting. The WSP boxes and WSP assembled wired frames are sized for each other.
Ideal: the light option
Ideal boxes are the shallowest of the three and the easiest to handle when full, which is why hobbyists, older beekeepers and anyone producing comb honey favour them. The trade-off is more boxes and more frames for the same honey volume. Pair Ideal boxes with Ideal assembled and wired frames, and note that our unassembled frames come in both full depth and Ideal, so check the option you select.
Frames and foundation must match the box
This is where most mistakes happen. A frame is built for one depth. Put a full depth frame in an Ideal box and it will not fit; put an Ideal frame in a full depth box and the bees will build wild comb underneath it. Foundation is cut to match the frame as well: our Australian-made wax foundation is sold in full depth, and plastic foundation sheets are listed by depth too. Read our frames and foundation guide before you order.
Can you mix depths in one hive?
Yes, as long as each box contains only its own frame size. A full depth brood box with a queen excluder and WSP or Ideal supers above is the most common arrangement in the country. What does not work is mixing frame sizes inside a single box. The practical rule: full depth below the excluder, one chosen depth above it, and the same depth across every hive you own so supers and frames can move between colonies.
8-frame or 10-frame?
Depth is the first decision; width is the second. A 10-frame box holds more and is the commercial standard; an 8-frame box is lighter and suits backyard beekeepers. Both come in all three depths. Our bottom boards and queen excluders are listed as 8/10 frame, and our hive components collection covers the rest. Whichever you choose, keep it consistent for the same reason as depth: interchangeability.
Frequently asked questions
What is a WSP beehive box?
WSP is the medium depth Langstroth box used in Australia, sitting between full depth and Ideal. It is mainly used for honey supers because a full WSP box is lighter than a full depth box.
Is Ideal the same as WSP?
No. Ideal is shallower than WSP. The two use different frames and are not interchangeable, although both are used as honey supers.
Which depth should a beginner use for the brood box?
Full depth. It is the standard, gives the queen the most room, and matches the five-frame nucs sold in Australia.
Can I put Ideal frames in a full depth box?
No. The frames are too short and the bees will build comb in the gap underneath. Match the frame to the box.
What is the lightest option for honey supers?
Ideal boxes. They hold the least honey per box but are the easiest to lift when full. WSP is a reasonable compromise if you want fewer boxes.