Size page
16x20x2 air filter: actual size, MERV, and price
A 16x20x2 is a two-inch-class rectangle furnace or AC filter — not a 1-inch return slot and not a 4-inch cabinet cartridge. Buy the printed size 16x20x2. Do not substitute a 16x20x1. Do not mix with a 16x20x4. The panel is smaller than 16 by 20 by 2 inches: published actuals cluster around 15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75 (1¾ inch actual thickness, typically).
Same panel, swapped axes: 20x16x2. We treat 16x20x2 as the canonical label. Order 16x20x2.
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: 2-inch racks take ~1¾ inch media. A 16x20x1 (~¾ inch) will not fill that slot. A 16x20x4 (~3⅝–4⅜ inch) will not go in it.
| Brand | Nominal | Published actual (in.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filtrete 16x20x2 MPR 1000 / MERV 11 | 16x20x2 | 15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75 | Amazon B086VQCBRV “exact dimensions” (spec table on the same page also lists 15.81 × 19.81 × 1.81 — measure if the slot is tight) |
| Filterbuy 16x20x2 pleated (MERV 8, 11, and 13) | 16x20x2 | 15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75 (15.50 × 19.50 × 1.75) | Filterbuy product specs; Amazon B00CJZ674M title; Target Filterbuy 16x20x2 titles |
| Nordic Pure 16x20x2 pleated | 16x20x2 | Approximately 15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75 (15½ × 19½ × 1¾) | JB Tools listings for 16x20x2M8-3, 16x20x2M8-12, 16x20x2M12-3, 16x20x2M13-3, and 16x20x2M13-12 |
| Mann+Hummel 16x20x2 MERV 8 | 16x20x2 | 15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75 (15½ × 19½ × 1¾) | Target A-1009287557 title and copy (“Exact Size” / “Actual Measurements”) |
Honeywell Store does not list a 16x20x2 pack (their 16x20 line on that store is 1-inch and 4-inch). Amazon Basics has no 16x20x2 SKU with a printed actual. Filtrete’s Amazon listing prints 15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75 as exact dimensions and 15.81 × 19.81 × 1.81 in the spec table — 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 2-inch MERV 13 is not HEPA. We do not claim health outcomes.
| MERV | EPA average capture efficiency (particle size) | Typical 16x20x2 use |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | ≥20% of 1.0–3.0 µm; ≥70% of 3.0–10.0 µm | Common pleated replacement in a 2-inch rack 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 2-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 2-inch; confirm the furnace/air handler can take the extra pressure drop. Not HEPA |
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. Nordic Pure 16x20x2M12-3 is labeled MERV 12 — between the EPA 11 and 13 rows above; we do not invent a MERV 12 EPA line.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nordic Pure 16x20x2 pleated (reseller) | 8 | 12 | $97.19 | $8.10 | JB Tools |
| Filterbuy 16x20x2 pleated | 8 | 6 | $52.14 | $8.69 | Filterbuy |
| Nordic Pure 16x20x2 pleated (reseller) | 8 | 3 | $34.19 | $11.40 | JB Tools |
| Filterbuy 16x20x2 MERV 8 4-pack | 8 | 4 | $47.96 | $11.99 | Amazon |
| Filterbuy 16x20x2 pleated | 11 | 6 | $67.44 | $11.24 | Filterbuy |
| Filtrete 16x20x2 MPR 1000 Allergen Defense | 11 | 4 | $59.75 | $14.94 | Amazon |
| Nordic Pure 16x20x2 pleated (reseller) | 12 | 3 | $36.89 | $12.30 | JB Tools |
| Nordic Pure 16x20x2 pleated (reseller) | 13 | 12 | $134.99 | $11.25 | JB Tools |
| Nordic Pure 16x20x2 pleated (reseller) | 13 | 3 | $39.59 | $13.20 | JB Tools |
| Filterbuy 16x20x2 pleated | 13 | 6 | $85.50 | $14.25 | Filterbuy |
Observed range that day for ordinary pleated 16x20x2: about $8.10–$11.99/filter at MERV 8 in multi-packs, $11.24–$14.94 at MERV 11, $12.30 at MERV 12 (Nordic Pure 3-pack), $11.25–$14.25 at MERV 13. Filterbuy.com 6-pack figures were the one-time sale prices shown that day (10% off, listed as ending 30 Aug 2026). Honeywell Store has no 16x20x2 listing. Amazon Basics has no 16x20x2 SKU with a printed actual. Target had no Filtrete 16x20x2 listing; Target Filterbuy and Mann+Hummel 16x20x2 pages loaded without a public cart price in the fetch, so those pack prices are omitted rather than guessed. Home Depot BestAir BA2-1620-8 and Nordic Pure 16x20x2M8-3 product pages returned a bot check or error — those pack prices are omitted rather than guessed. Amazon’s BestAir BA2-1620-8 page bot-blocked. Walmart product pages were not used for a price row.
Where to buy
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It does not change the price you pay.
- Amazon Filtrete 16x20x2 MPR 1000 / MERV 11 4-pack with printed exact 15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75: B086VQCBRV. Filterbuy MERV 8 4-pack with printed actual 15.50 × 19.50 × 1.75: B00CJZ674M. Search this size: 16x20x2 furnace filter.
- Target Filterbuy 16x20x2 MERV 8 1-pack (printed actual 15.50 × 19.50 × 1.75; no public cart price in our fetch): Target A-1007568505. Mann+Hummel MERV 8 12-pack with printed exact 15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75: Target A-1009287557. No Filtrete 16x20x2 listing on Target that day.
- Walmart Size search (pack counts on the same product family): 16x20x2 air filter.
- Home Depot BestAir BA2-1620-8 16x20x2 MERV 8 (pickup; product page bot-blocked in our fetch): BA2-1620-8.
- AirFilters.com Custom and stock 16x20x2 cuts: airfilters.com.
- Nordic Pure Reseller listing with published actual ~15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75: JB Tools 16x20x2M13-12.
- Filterbuy Product listing with printed actual 15.5 × 19.5 × 1.75: 16x20x2 MERV 8.
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 16x20x2 SKU. A 16x20x1 or a 16x20x4 is not a substitute by name alone.
Sources (accessed 30 Aug 2026)
- EPA MERV table: epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv-rating (updated 14 Jan 2026)
- Amazon Filtrete B086VQCBRV MPR 1000 4-pack $59.75 (exact 15.5×19.5×1.75; spec table 15.81×19.81×1.81)
- Amazon Filterbuy B00CJZ674M MERV 8 4-pack $47.96 (15.50×19.50×1.75)
- Filterbuy 16x20x2 product pages: MERV 8 6-pack $52.14 ($8.69/ea), MERV 11 6-pack $67.44 ($11.24/ea), MERV 13 6-pack $85.50 ($14.25/ea) — actual 15.5×19.5×1.75
- JB Tools Nordic Pure 16x20x2M8-12 ($97.19), 16x20x2M8-3 ($34.19), 16x20x2M12-3 ($36.89), 16x20x2M13-12 ($134.99), 16x20x2M13-3 ($39.59) — actual ~15.5×19.5×1.75
- Target Filterbuy A-1007568505 and Mann+Hummel A-1009287557 (printed actuals; no public cart price in the fetch). Honeywell Store furnace-filter category: no 16x20x2 SKU