Garment Bag Sizes: Length by Garment, Folded Size and Closet Fit
Garment bags are sold by length, and the right length depends on what hangs inside. This guide matches each length to the clothes it takes, explains the folded dimensions on travel garment bags, and shows which bags fit a closet or an airline sizer.
Most garment bags are 22–24 in (56–61 cm) wide. Choose the length by garment: about 40–42 in (102–107 cm) for suits and jackets, 50–54 in (127–137 cm) for knee-length dresses and overcoats, 60 in (152 cm) for long dresses and trousers hung full length, and 65–72 in (165–183 cm) for gowns and wedding dresses. Travel garment bags fold to about 22 × 12–14 in to fit a carry-on sizer.
- Width
- 22–24 in (56–61 cm)
- Suit bag
- 40–42 in long
- Dress / coat
- 50–54 in long
- Gown bag
- 65–72 in long
On this page
Garment bag length chart
A garment bag's length is measured from the top opening, where the hanger hook comes through, to the bottom seam. Pick a bag at least 4 in (10 cm) longer than the garment measured from the hanger's shoulder line, so the hem does not fold against the bottom.
| Bag length | Centimeters | Holds | Typical width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36–38 in | 91–97 cm | Shirts, blazers, short jackets | 22–24 in (56–61 cm) |
| 40–42 in | 102–107 cm | Suits with trousers folded over the bar, sport coats, short dresses | 24 in (61 cm) |
| 50–54 in | 127–137 cm | Knee and midi dresses, overcoats, trench coats | 24 in (61 cm) |
| 60 in | 152 cm | Long dresses, long coats, trousers hung full length from clips | 24 in (61 cm) |
| 65–72 in | 165–183 cm | Evening gowns, wedding dresses, choir and academic robes | 24–26 in (61–66 cm), often a 6–12 in gusset |
Width is fairly constant because it is set by the hanger. Adult suit and coat hangers are about 17 to 19 in (43 to 48 cm) wide, so a 22 to 24 in bag leaves room for jacket shoulders without pressing the sleeves.
How to measure a garment for a garment bag
- Hang the garment on the hanger you will use, with any trousers folded over the bar as they will travel.
- Measure from the top of the hanger's shoulder line, not the hook, straight down to the lowest point: the hem of a jacket, the fold of the trousers or the end of a dress train.
- Add 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm). The hook adds about 4 to 6 in above the shoulder line, and the extra length at the bottom stops the hem from folding.
- Check the width and gusset. Two or three suits, or one full-skirted dress, need a gusset of 3 in (8 cm) or more. A flat bag with no gusset is meant for one garment.
Regular suit jackets are typically about 30 to 31 in long from the collar seam; short sizes are about an inch shorter and long sizes about an inch longer; see the suit size chart. For dress lengths, from mini to floor-length, see dress sizes.
Travel garment bags and their folded sizes
Travel garment bags list two sets of dimensions: unfolded (hanging) and folded (carrying). The folded size is what has to fit an airline sizer or a car trunk.
| Style | Unfolded | Folded size (in) | Folded (cm) | Travels as |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tri-fold | about 22 × 40–44 in | 20–22 × 13–15 × 2–3 | 51–56 × 33–38 × 5–8 | Carry-on, or packed inside a suitcase |
| Bi-fold (soft) | about 22–24 × 44–48 in | 22–24 × 20–22 × 4–8 | 56–61 × 51–56 × 10–20 | Usually too wide for a 14 in sizer; check the airline |
| Bi-fold carry-on (with frame or wheels) | about 22 × 40 in | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 36 × 23 | Carry-on on US airlines |
| Rolling garment bag (checked) | about 24 × 46–50 in | 24–26 × 14–16 × 10–13 | 61–66 × 36–41 × 25–33 | Checked bag |
| Garment sleeve inside a suitcase | Folds to the suitcase lid | Fits a 22 in or larger case | Inside a 56 cm case | Part of your carry-on |
A garment bag is a carry-on, not an extra item, on almost every airline. If you also bring a wheeled suitcase into the cabin, the garment bag has to go in it or be checked. Folded bags must meet the airline's carry-on size, 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) on most US carriers; see the carry-on rules by airline and carry-on bag sizes.
A 22-inch carry-on suitcase has an interior roughly 20 in long. A suit jacket folded once lengthwise, with the shoulders inverted and placed in a tri-fold sleeve, lies flat inside it. That keeps you to one cabin bag instead of a suitcase plus a garment bag.
Garment bags in the closet
Closets have two kinds of hanging space, and a garment bag has to suit the one you have. Measure from the top of the rod to the floor or to the rod below.
| Closet section | Typical rod height | Clear hanging length | Bag that fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double hang, upper rod | 80–84 in (203–213 cm) | about 38–42 in above the lower rod | 36–40 in suit and shirt bags |
| Double hang, lower rod | 40–42 in (102–107 cm) | about 38–40 in to the floor | 36–38 in bags; 40 in bags may touch the floor |
| Single hang (standard) | about 66 in (168 cm) | about 62–64 in to the floor | Any bag up to 60 in |
| Long hang | about 72 in (183 cm) | about 68–70 in to the floor | Bags up to about 66 in; a 72 in gown bag needs a rod near 80 in or the bottom folded |
For a closet layout that fits these sections, see closet organizer dimensions and wardrobe sizes. A 24 in wide bag needs a closet at least 24 in (61 cm) deep to hang without brushing the door.
Storage bags vs travel bags
Breathable fabric (cotton, non-woven polypropylene)
- Lets moisture escape, so it suits long-term storage of wool, silk and wedding dresses
- Blocks dust and light
- Light and inexpensive in every length
Sealed plastic or vinyl
- Traps humidity, which can cause mildew or yellowing over months
- Fine for the trip home from the dry cleaner, not for storage
- Clear bags make it easy to see what is inside, but let light fade colors
For travel, coated nylon or polyester garment bags resist rain and scuffing better than storage fabrics. For checked trips with several outfits, a rolling garment bag or a full-size suitcase with a garment folder inside is easier to handle than a long hanging bag.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average size of a garment bag?
The most common garment bag is a suit bag of about 24 × 40 in (61 × 102 cm). Dress bags are usually 24 × 54 in (61 × 137 cm) or 24 × 60 in (61 × 152 cm), and bridal gown bags 24 × 72 in (61 × 183 cm) or longer, often with a deep gusset.
What is the standard length of a suit garment bag for a closet?
40 to 42 in (102 to 107 cm). A suit jacket is about 29 to 33 in long and hangs from a hanger with a hook of 4 to 6 in, with the trousers folded over the bar inside. A 40 in bag covers that with a little room at the bottom.
What do the folded dimensions of a garment bag mean?
They are the size of the bag when folded for carrying. A bi-fold bag of 24 × 44 in unfolded folds in half to about 22–24 × 22 in and 4 to 8 in thick. A tri-fold folds into thirds, to about 22 × 14 × 3 in, and can travel as a carry-on or inside a suitcase.
Can a garment bag be a carry-on?
Yes, if it folds to within the airline's carry-on size, which is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) on most US airlines. A bi-fold travel garment bag counts as your carry-on, not an extra item. Some airlines will hang garment bags in a closet in premium cabins; in economy, plan on the overhead bin.
How long should a garment bag be for a long dress?
Measure the dress from the top of the hanger hook to the hem and add 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm). A floor-length dress for a person of average height is usually 55 to 62 in from the shoulder, so a 60 in bag can be short; a 65 to 72 in bag is the safe choice.