Duffel Bag Sizes: Dimensions for Every Capacity
Duffels are sold by liters, so it is hard to picture one before it arrives. This chart turns duffel capacity into length, width and height, and shows which sizes can be carried on, checked or only driven.
Duffel bags run from about 30 liters (18 × 10 × 10 in, 46 × 25 × 25 cm) for a gym or overnight bag to 150 liters (32 × 17 × 17 in, 81 × 43 × 43 cm) for expeditions. A 40-liter duffel is roughly 20 × 11 × 11 in and can usually be squeezed into a carry-on sizer; an 80 to 100-liter duffel is about 26–28 × 14–15 × 13–15 in (66–71 × 36–38 × 33–38 cm) and must be checked.
- 40 L duffel
- 20 × 11 × 11 in
- 70 L duffel
- 24 × 14 × 13 in
- 100 L duffel
- 28 × 15 × 15 in
- Carry-on max
- about 40–45 L
On this page
Duffel bag size chart
Each row is a representative rectangular duffel of that capacity, packed full. Real bags differ by an inch or two in each direction, since some are long and low and others tall and square, but the volume of each row matches its stated capacity to within a few liters.
| Capacity | Size label | Dimensions (in) | Dimensions (cm) | Linear total | Travels as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 L | XS | 18 × 10 × 10 | 46 × 25 × 25 | 38 in | Carry-on; often a personal item if half full |
| 40 L | S | 20 × 11 × 11 | 51 × 28 × 28 | 42 in | Carry-on |
| 50 L | S/M | 22 × 12 × 12 | 56 × 30 × 30 | 46 in | Carry-on only if compressed to 9 in deep |
| 60 L | M | 23 × 13 × 12 | 58 × 33 × 30 | 48 in | Checked |
| 70 L | M | 24 × 14 × 13 | 61 × 36 × 33 | 51 in | Checked |
| 90 L | L | 27 × 15 × 14 | 69 × 38 × 36 | 56 in | Checked |
| 100 L | L | 28 × 15 × 15 | 71 × 38 × 38 | 58 in | Checked |
| 120 L | XL | 30 × 16 × 15 | 76 × 41 × 38 | 61 in | Checked, at the size limit |
| 150 L | XXL | 32 × 17 × 17 | 81 × 43 × 43 | 66 in | Checked as oversize |
The "travels as" column assumes the common limits: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) for a carry-on and 62 linear inches (158 cm) for a checked bag. A duffel up to about 120 liters fits the checked size limit; above that, most pay an oversize fee.
How to work out a duffel's size from its liters
A rectangular duffel's capacity is its length × width × height. In inches, divide the product by 61 to get liters; in centimeters, divide by 1,000. A duffel listed as 40 × 30 × 30 cm is 36 liters; one listed as 24 × 14 × 13 in is 4,368 cubic inches, or 72 liters.
Barrel duffels, the classic round-ended gym shape, hold less than their outer box. Their volume is π × radius² × length: a barrel duffel 24 in long and 12 in across holds 44.5 liters, while a rectangular duffel of 24 × 12 × 12 in holds 56.6 liters. When a barrel duffel lists only length and diameter, use that formula rather than multiplying three sides.
Manufacturers often measure capacity with the bag stuffed to a rounded shape, then list dimensions of the bag flat or lightly filled. If the two do not match within about 10 percent, trust the dimensions for fitting into a sizer, a trunk or a locker.
Carry-on duffel bags
The largest duffel you can carry on a US flight is the one that packs down to 22 × 14 × 9 in, which is 45.4 liters as a box. In practice that means a duffel sold as 35 to 45 liters. Soft duffels have an advantage over wheeled carry-ons: no wheels or handle tubes take space, so a 40-liter duffel holds about as much as a 22-inch suitcase while weighing 1.5 to 3.5 lb (0.7 to 1.6 kg) instead of 6 to 8 lb.
- Depth is the dimension that fails. A round duffel naturally bulges past 9 in (23 cm). Pack it flatter, or use compression straps or packing cubes to hold it to shape.
- Weight-capped airlines: where the cabin limit is 7 to 10 kg (15 to 22 lb), a light duffel leaves more of that allowance for contents than a suitcase does.
- Weekender bags, the leather or canvas duffels with two handles and a shoulder strap, are usually 20 to 22 in long and 30 to 45 liters, so most qualify as carry-ons.
The full rules for cabin bags by airline are on the carry-on rules page.
Large duffels as checked luggage
Expedition-style duffels of 90 to 150 liters are the standard bag for ski, dive and climbing trips because they swallow bulky gear and fold flat at the destination. Two limits apply when they are checked:
| Duffel | Linear inches | Within 62 in? | Weight concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 L (24 × 14 × 13 in) | 51 | Yes | Rarely over 50 lb with clothing |
| 100 L (28 × 15 × 15 in) | 58 | Yes | Often over 50 lb with boots, wetsuits or climbing hardware |
| 120 L (30 × 16 × 15 in) | 61 | Yes, just | Very easy to exceed 50 lb (23 kg) |
| 150 L (32 × 17 × 17 in) | 66 | No, oversize | Likely overweight as well |
A 100-liter duffel of dense gear can pass 50 lb (23 kg) before it is full. Two 70-liter duffels avoid the oversize and overweight fees, though a second checked bag usually costs extra, and they are easier to carry. For hard-sided alternatives of the same capacity, see the luggage size chart.
Duffel types and their sizes
| Type | Typical capacity | Typical size (in) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym or sports duffel | 25–45 L | 18–22 × 10–12 × 10–12 | Shoe compartment, ventilated pocket; see gym bag sizes |
| Weekender | 30–45 L | 20–22 × 10–12 × 10–12 | Usually carry-on size |
| Expedition duffel | 40–150 L | 20–32 × 11–17 × 11–17 | Coated fabric, backpack straps, D-shaped zip lid |
| Wheeled duffel | 60–130 L | 26–34 in long | Wheels and a frame add 4–7 lb (1.8–3.2 kg) and some length |
| Packable duffel | 25–45 L | Folds into its own pocket | Spare bag for the trip home |
Duffels do well
- Bulky soft gear: sleeping bags, jackets, ski clothes
- Car and boat travel, where they squeeze into odd spaces
- Storage: they fold flat when empty
Watch out for
- Long carries; a 20 kg duffel on one shoulder strap is hard work unless it has backpack straps
- Fragile items; there is no rigid shell
- Wrinkling; suits travel better in a garment bag
Choosing a duffel size by trip
- Gym, overnight or weekend: 30 to 40 liters.
- Carry-on for up to a week: 40 to 45 liters, the most that fits a sizer.
- One to two weeks, checked: 60 to 90 liters.
- Ski, dive or camping gear: 90 to 120 liters, staying within the 62-inch limit.
- Expedition or gear haul by road: 130 to 150 liters, accepting oversize fees if you fly.
For a bag you will carry on your back for long distances, a properly fitted backpack is better than a duffel with shoulder straps.
Frequently asked questions
How large is an 80 to 100 liter duffel?
About 26 to 28 in long, 14 to 15 in wide and 13 to 15 in tall (66–71 × 36–38 × 33–38 cm) when packed. That is 53 to 58 linear inches, within the 62-inch checked bag limit, and it holds roughly what a 26 to 28-inch suitcase holds.
What size duffel bag is a carry-on?
Up to about 40 to 45 liters, built to around 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). A 22 × 14 × 9 in box holds 45.4 liters, so a soft duffel advertised at 40 liters fits when packed sensibly. A 50-liter duffel is about 22 × 12 × 12 in and only fits if you leave some space to compress it.
What are typical duffel bag sizes?
Most brands sell four to six sizes: extra small (about 30 L), small (40–50 L), medium (60–75 L), large (90–100 L) and extra large (120–150 L). The labels are not standard, so compare the liters and the dimensions, not the letter size.
How many liters is a 40 × 30 × 30 cm duffel bag?
36 liters as a box (40 × 30 × 30 cm = 36,000 cm³). The usable volume of a soft duffel is close to that; a barrel-shaped duffel with round ends holds about a fifth less than its outer box.
Will a 120 liter duffel go as checked luggage?
Usually yes on size: a 120-liter duffel is about 30 × 16 × 15 in, or 61 linear inches, just inside the 62-inch limit. Weight is the real problem: 120 liters of gear easily exceeds the 50 lb (23 kg) economy allowance.