Gym Bag Sizes: What Fits, What to Buy and Will It Fit the Locker
Sizing a gym bag starts with what goes in it and ends with where it has to go: a locker, a cubby or a car trunk. Here are the capacities and dimensions that work for each routine.
A standard gym bag holds 25 to 45 liters and measures about 18–22 × 10–12 × 10–12 in (46–56 × 25–30 × 25–30 cm). Around 30 liters (about 19 × 11 × 10 in) carries a pair of trainers, a towel, a change of clothes, a water bottle and toiletries, and fits upright in a standard 12 in (30 cm) wide locker.
- Small gym bag
- 20–25 L
- Standard
- 30–40 L
- Typical size
- 19 × 11 × 10 in
- Locker width
- 12 in (30 cm)
On this page
Gym bag sizes and what each one holds
Bag makers use small, medium and large differently, so this chart works from capacity. The contents are approximate packed volumes: one pair of adult trainers takes about 5 to 7 liters, a rolled bath towel 3 to 4 liters and a full change of clothes 3 to 5 liters.
| Capacity | Typical size (in) | cm | Holds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15–20 L | 15–16 × 9 × 8 | 38–41 × 23 × 20 | Clothes, small towel, bottle, no shoes |
| 20–25 L | 17 × 10 × 9 | 43 × 25 × 23 | One pair of shoes and a change of gym clothes, or clothes and a towel |
| 30 L | 19 × 11 × 10 | 48 × 28 × 25 | Shoes, bath towel, gym clothes, bottle, toiletry bag |
| 40 L | 20 × 11 × 11 | 51 × 28 × 28 | All of the above plus work clothes or a second pair of shoes |
| 45–60 L | 22–23 × 12–13 × 12 | 56–58 × 30–33 × 30 | Weekend trip, team kit, boxing gloves and wraps, swim gear with a wet bag |
Above 45 liters a gym bag becomes a travel duffel. The duffel bag size chart continues to 150 liters.
Gym locker sizes
Lockers are sold in a small number of standard nominal sizes. The usable opening is narrower than the nominal width by roughly 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5 cm) because of the door frame and hooks, so measure the opening, not the outside.
| Locker | Nominal size (W × D × H) | cm | Largest bag that fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single tier (full height) | 12 × 15–18 × 60–72 in | 30 × 38–46 × 152–183 | Any bag up to about 11 in wide, standing on end |
| Double tier (half height) | 12 × 15–18 × 30–36 in | 30 × 38–46 × 76–91 | 40–45 L duffel on end, or a backpack |
| Triple tier | 12 × 15–18 × 20–24 in | 30 × 38–46 × 51–61 | 30 L bag (19 × 11 × 10 in) on end |
| Box locker (six tier) | 12 × 12–18 × 12 in | 30 × 30–46 × 30 | 10–15 L bag or folded clothes only |
| Wide locker | 15–18 × 18–21 × 36–72 in | 38–46 × 46–53 × 91–183 | Large duffels lying flat |
A bag that is 10 to 11 in (25 to 28 cm) across its widest point is the one dimension that matters most, since most gym lockers are 12 in wide. Soft duffels squeeze; a bag with a rigid base panel or shoe tube does not.
Studios and pools often use stacked box lockers about 12 in (30 cm) square. Measure one before buying a bag for that gym; if it will not take your bag, a small 15 to 20 L backpack or a hanging wash bag is the practical choice.
Gym bag types compared
| Style | Typical capacity | Size (in) | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrel duffel | 25–40 L | 18–22 long, 10–12 across | Light, cheap, squeezes into lockers | Contents pile up; holds a fifth less than a box of the same size |
| Rectangular duffel | 30–60 L | 19–23 × 11–13 × 10–12 | Stands upright, separate shoe compartment | Heavier, stiffer |
| Gym backpack | 20–35 L | 17–19 × 12–13 × 7–9 | Hands-free, better for cycling or commuting | Harder to reach items at the bottom |
| Tote | 20–30 L | 18–20 wide × 13–15 tall × 6–8 | Open top, fast access | No closure on many models; see tote bag sizes |
| Drawstring sack | 10–15 L | about 17 × 14 flat | Folds to nothing | No structure, no shoe space |
If you commute by bike or on foot, compare the gym backpack row with the full backpack dimensions by type and the backpack fit guide.
Bags for sport-specific gear
Some gear sets a minimum length or diameter, and a standard gym bag will not take it.
- Tennis and padel: a tennis racket may be up to 29 in (73.7 cm) long under ITF rules, and most are 27 in (68.6 cm). Racket bags are about 29 to 30 in long and sold by how many rackets they hold, typically 3, 6, 9 or 12. Padel rackets are shorter, at about 18 in (45.5 cm), and fit a padel bag of about 20 in.
- Yoga: a standard mat is 24 in (61 cm) wide, so rolled it is 24 in long and 4 to 6 in in diameter depending on thickness. A mat bag needs an inside length of about 26 in; see yoga mat sizes.
- Boxing and martial arts: a pair of 14 to 16 oz gloves takes about 6 to 8 liters. A 45 to 60 L bag holds gloves, wraps, shin guards and a towel, with a ventilated compartment for the gloves.
- Swimming: a waterproof or mesh wet compartment keeps a wet towel and suit away from dry clothes. A 25 to 30 L bag is usually enough.
- Team sports: cleats or skates need a separate shoe or skate compartment. Hockey and lacrosse equipment needs a dedicated equipment bag rather than a gym bag.
Picking a size from your routine
- Lay out a full load. Shoes, towel, clothes, bottle, toiletries, headphones, and anything you carry on the way to work.
- Pack it into a box or bin you can measure, roughly as tight as it would be in a bag. Multiply length × width × height in inches and divide by 61 to get liters, or multiply centimeters and divide by 1,000.
- Add 20 percent for the shape of a soft bag and for closing the zip without a fight.
- Check the locker opening and how you travel. If you bike, choose a backpack; if the gym has box lockers, stay under about 11 × 11 in across the bag's end.
A standard bath towel (27 × 52 in, or 69 × 132 cm) is the bulkiest soft item; a smaller gym towel saves 2 to 3 liters. Towel sizes are on the towel size guide, and shoe dimensions by size on the shoe size chart.
Frequently asked questions
What size gym bag do I need?
For a workout with one pair of shoes, a towel and a change of clothes, about 30 liters. If you also carry work clothes, a laptop or a second pair of shoes, 40 to 45 liters. For only clothes and a bottle, with shoes worn to the gym, 20 to 25 liters is enough.
What are the dimensions of a medium gym bag?
A medium (about 40 L) gym bag is roughly 20 × 11 × 11 in (51 × 28 × 28 cm). Small bags of about 25 L are around 17 × 10 × 9 in, and large 50 to 60 L bags about 22–23 × 12–13 × 12 in.
Will a gym bag fit in a gym locker?
In a full-height or half-height locker 12 in wide, yes: a bag up to about 11 in wide and 22 in long fits standing on end. Square box lockers of about 12 × 12 × 12 in take only a small bag of 10 to 15 liters, so measure before you buy if your gym uses them.
Can a gym bag be a carry-on?
Yes. Any gym bag up to about 45 liters that packs to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) or less is a carry-on on US airlines. A 25 L bag can often go under the seat as a personal item if it is no larger than the airline's personal-item size.
Is a gym backpack or a duffel better?
A duffel opens wider and stands better in a locker; a backpack is easier to carry on foot or by bike. Gym backpacks are usually 20 to 35 liters, so if you carry a laptop and work clothes as well, a 40 L duffel or a large backpack with a separate shoe compartment is the better fit.