A self-squaring corrugated container employs alignment markings on and adjacent to the manufacturing joint to allow quick visual inspection of placement and orientation of the manufacturing joint, and employs interlocking contoured peripheral edges on the major bottom flaps to allow consistent, quick, and easy formation of a container which is square, non-skewed to within small, strict tolerances. Both the alignment markings and contoured bottom flaps are die cut into the carton blank to insure uniform container alignment. Additional container features include employment of a hinged, partially detached top flap to accommodate use of the container to packaged bottles. Method steps are provided for forming the self-squaring container using the innovative features.