Tool Bag Sizes: Dimensions, Capacity and Which Size You Need
Typical outside dimensions and volumes of tool bags from 12 to 24 in, tool backpacks and totes, plus the tool lengths that decide which size you need and the rules for flying with tools.
Tool bags are named by their length. A 16 in tool bag, the most common size, typically measures 16 × 8-9 × 10-12 in (41 × 20-23 × 25-30 cm) and holds about 21 to 28 liters. Small 12 in bags hold roughly 9 to 14 L; 24 in bags hold 47 to 70 L. Width and height vary by brand, so check the listed dimensions.
- 16 in bag
- 16 × 8-9 × 10-12 in
- 16 in capacity
- about 21-28 L
- Tool backpack
- 13-15 × 7-10 × 17-20 in
- TSA tool limit
- 7 in or shorter
On this page
Tool bag size chart (12 to 24 in)
The length in a bag's name is the length of its base. Width and height are not standardized, so the table gives the typical range of outside dimensions across current open-top and zip-top bags, and the volume those dimensions enclose.
| Bag size | L × W × H (in) | L × W × H (cm) | Volume | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in | 12 × 6-7 × 8-10 | 30 × 15-18 × 20-25 | 9-14 L | Small electrical kit, car kit, apartment toolkit |
| 14 in | 14 × 7-8 × 10-11 | 36 × 18-20 × 25-28 | 16-20 L | Homeowner basics, a 16 oz hammer |
| 16 in | 16 × 8-9 × 10-12 | 41 × 20-23 × 25-30 | 21-28 L | General trade kit, compact drill and hand tools |
| 18 in | 18 × 9-10 × 11-13 | 46 × 23-25 × 28-33 | 29-38 L | Carpentry and plumbing, framing hammer, 14 in pipe wrench |
| 20 in | 20 × 10 × 12-14 | 51 × 25 × 30-36 | 39-46 L | Full hand-tool set plus power tools |
| 24 in | 24 × 10-12 × 12-15 | 61 × 25-30 × 30-38 | 47-70 L | 18-24 in wrenches and bars, multiple power tools |
Volumes are calculated from outside dimensions (1 cu in = 0.0164 L), so usable space is somewhat smaller once you allow for padding, a rigid base and outside pockets.
Tool bag types and their dimensions
| Type | Typical size (in) | Typical size (cm) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-top (wide-mouth) bag | 12-24 long × 7-12 × 9-15 | 30-61 × 18-30 × 23-38 | Fast access, power tools, everyday trade work |
| Zip-top or frame-mouth bag | 14-24 long × 8-12 × 10-14 | 36-61 × 20-30 × 25-36 | Transport in vehicles, keeping out rain and dust |
| Tool backpack | 13-15 × 7-10 × 17-20 | 33-38 × 18-25 × 43-51 | Electricians, HVAC, technicians who climb ladders or walk far |
| Open tool tote (center handle) | 12-20 long × 8-10 × 9-12 | 30-51 × 20-25 × 23-30 | Grab-and-go kits, specialized tools visible on both sides |
| Rolling tool bag | 18-24 long × 11-14 × 13-17 (plus handle) | 46-61 × 28-36 × 33-43 | Heavy kits on flat floors, commercial jobs |
| Tool pouch / belt pouch | 8-11 tall × 4-7 wide | 20-28 × 10-18 | Fasteners and the five tools you use most |
A tool backpack of 14 × 8 × 18 in has about 33 L of space, roughly the same as an 18 in bag, but in a tall, narrow shape that holds screwdrivers and meters upright. It carries like a daypack, while a large open bag carries more like a duffel.
Choose the size by your longest tool
The longest tool you carry every day sets the minimum bag length. Add about 1 in so the tool lies flat without forcing the end panels.
| Tool | Typical length | Smallest bag that fits lying flat |
|---|---|---|
| Torpedo level | 9 in (23 cm) | 12 in |
| Adjustable wrench | 6, 8, 10 or 12 in | 12-14 in |
| Tongue-and-groove pliers | 10-12 in | 12-14 in |
| 16 oz claw hammer | about 13 in (33 cm) | 14 in |
| Hacksaw (12 in blade) | about 15-16 in | 16-18 in |
| Pipe wrench | 10, 14, 18 or 24 in | 12, 16, 20 or 24+ in |
| Framing hammer | about 15-18 in | 18-20 in |
| Pry bar / wrecking bar | 12-24 in | 14-24+ in |
| Box level | 24 in (61 cm) | Outside strap or 24 in+ bag |
| Handsaw | about 20-26 in overall | Carry separately in a blade guard |
Height matters for power tools stored upright. A compact drill/driver with its battery stands about 8 to 9 in tall, so it fits most bags 10 in or taller; a hammer drill or a tool with a large battery may need 11 to 12 in.
Which tool bag size for which trade
- Homeowner or apartment kit: 14 or 16 in open bag, or a 12 in bag if it lives in a closet or car. Enough for a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, a tape, a level and a box of screws and nails.
- Electrician: tool backpack or 12-16 in tote for hand tools and meters, plus a belt pouch. Long tools are rare; organization matters more than volume.
- Plumber: 18-20 in wide-mouth bag with a waterproof molded base, to take pipe wrenches and fittings. See pipe sizes for the fittings that fill it.
- Carpenter: tool belt plus an 18 in bag for the framing hammer, flat bar, saws and a cordless drill with a bit index.
- HVAC and maintenance technicians: backpack for the daily kit and a 20-24 in rolling bag that stays in the van.
Good for
- Open-top bags: quick access and room for bulky power tools.
- Backpacks: carrying over distance, up ladders and through buildings with both hands free.
- Molded bases: standing upright on wet ground and lasting longer than fabric bottoms.
Watch out for
- Bigger bags get overloaded: a full 20-24 in bag is heavy to carry on one shoulder.
- Outside pockets add length and width to the listed size; measure before you plan a van shelf.
- Deep, open bags bury small tools; use inside pockets or small pouches for bits and fasteners.
Flying with a tool bag
TSA rules (as of 2026) allow screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers of 7 in (17.8 cm) or less in carry-on bags, measured from end to end. Hammers, drills, saws, crowbars, box cutters and longer tools must go in checked baggage. Remove batteries from power tools: spare lithium-ion batteries must travel in carry-on bags with the terminals protected, never in checked luggage. As for the bag itself, a 16 in bag that is 9 in wide or less fits the common 22 × 14 × 9 in carry-on limit, while 18 in and larger bags are usually too wide. Either way, the contents decide where it can go; see carry-on rules by airline before you pack.
Many manufacturers measure length at the widest point, including end pockets, so the inside floor can be 1 to 2 in shorter than the name suggests. If a specific tool must fit, compare its length with the inside floor length, not the bag's name.
Frequently asked questions
What size tool bag do I need?
Measure your longest tool and add about 1 in. A homeowner's kit with a 16 oz hammer (about 13 in long) fits a 14 or 16 in bag. A framing hammer, 14 in pipe wrench or 18 in pry bar needs an 18 to 20 in bag. Anything longer, such as a 24 in level or a handsaw, rides outside on straps or in a 24 in bag.
How big is a 16 inch tool bag?
Typically 16 in long, 8 to 9 in wide and 10 to 12 in tall (41 × 20-23 × 25-30 cm), or about 21 to 28 liters. The 16 in figure is the length of the base; some brands quote the length including end pockets.
Can I take a tool bag on a plane?
As of 2026, TSA allows screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers 7 in or shorter in carry-on bags. Hammers, drills, saws, pry bars, box cutters and any tool longer than 7 in must go in checked luggage. Rules can change and the officer at the checkpoint has the final say, so check the TSA website before you fly.
Is a tool backpack better than a tool bag?
A backpack carries more comfortably over distance and on ladders and keeps both hands free, and its vertical pockets keep small tools visible. An open-top bag is faster to load and holds long or bulky tools, such as a pipe wrench or a cordless drill with a large battery, which a backpack often will not.
Will a cordless drill fit in a tool bag?
A compact drill/driver with a battery is roughly 7 to 8 in long and 8 to 9 in tall, so it fits upright in most 14 in and larger bags of 10 in or more in height. Hammer drills with large batteries are taller and often need an 18 in bag or the drill's own case.
What does a 24 inch tool bag hold?
About 47 to 70 liters, enough for a full set of hand tools plus a cordless drill, an impact driver and spare batteries, or long tools such as 18 to 24 in pipe wrenches and pry bars. Loaded, a bag this size is heavy, so many have wheels or a reinforced shoulder strap.