Tote Bag Sizes: Dimensions, Gussets and Handle Length
Tote bags range from small lunch totes to oversized beach bags. Here are the common sizes in inches and centimeters, how much a gusset adds, how long the handles need to be for the shoulder, and what fits inside each size.
The most common tote bag size is 15 × 16 in (38 × 41 cm), a flat canvas tote with no gusset; in Europe the equivalent is usually 38 × 42 cm. A medium structured tote with a gusset is about 14–16 × 12–14 × 5–6 in (36–41 × 30–36 × 13–15 cm), and a large tote about 18–20 × 14–16 × 6–8 in (46–51 × 36–41 × 15–20 cm).
- Standard flat tote
- 15 × 16 in
- European tote
- 38 × 42 cm
- Large tote
- 18–20 in wide
- Shoulder drop
- 9–12 in
On this page
Tote bag size chart
Totes come in two constructions. A flat tote is two panels sewn together; it has no depth until you fill it. A gusseted tote has a bottom and sides, so it stands up and holds boxy items. Dimensions are width × height × gusset depth.
| Size | Inches | Centimeters | Capacity | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini / lunch tote | 10–12 × 10–12 × 4–6 | 25–30 × 25–30 × 10–15 | 7–14 L | Lunch, a book, a small purse |
| Standard flat tote | 15 × 16, no gusset | 38 × 41 (EU: 38 × 42) | About 10–15 L when full | Promotional, library, everyday |
| Medium gusseted tote | 14–16 × 12–14 × 5–6 | 36–41 × 30–36 × 13–15 | 14–22 L | Work tote, 13 to 14-inch laptop |
| Large tote | 18–20 × 14–16 × 6–8 | 46–51 × 36–41 × 15–20 | 25–42 L | Groceries, weekend, 15.6-inch laptop |
| Oversized / beach tote | 20–24 × 15–18 × 6–10 | 51–61 × 38–46 × 15–25 | 30–70 L | Beach towels, picnic, overnight |
Gusseted capacities are width × height × depth: an 18 × 14 × 6 in tote is 1,512 cubic inches, or 25 liters. A flat tote has no fixed volume: filled until the sides bulge into a pillow shape, a 15 × 16 in tote holds about 12 liters by the usual approximation for flat sacks, roughly half the 20 liters of a gusseted tote with the same face and a 5 in gusset.
How much a gusset changes a tote
A gusset is the strip of fabric that forms the bottom and sides. It turns a flat bag into a three-dimensional one, but it is cut from the same panel, so it also reduces height and width when the bag is filled.
- No gusset: fine for flat items such as folders, books and clothes. A 15 × 16 in flat tote holds about three or four hardcover books in a stack.
- 3 to 4 in (8 to 10 cm) gusset: enough for a lunch box, a laptop with a charger, or shoes. Common on canvas work totes.
- 5 to 8 in (13 to 20 cm) gusset: stands open on the floor and takes grocery items or a rolled towel. Common on large and beach totes.
A standard US paper grocery bag is 12 × 7 × 17 in, about 23 liters. A reusable tote of 16 × 13 × 10 in (41 × 33 × 25 cm) holds 34 liters, roughly one and a half paper bags.
Tote handle length and drop
The handle drop is the distance from the top of the handle to the top edge of the bag when you hold the handle straight up. It decides whether the tote goes over your shoulder.
| Carry | Handle drop | Handle length (each) |
|---|---|---|
| In the hand only | 4–7 in (10–18 cm) | 12–18 in (30–46 cm) |
| Over the shoulder | 9–12 in (23–30 cm) | 22–28 in (56–71 cm) |
| Over the shoulder with a winter coat | 11–13 in (28–33 cm) | 26–30 in (66–76 cm) |
| Crossbody (separate strap) | 20–26 in (51–66 cm) | Adjustable strap |
The handle length is the full loop of webbing or leather, from one attachment point to the other. On a flat canvas tote, 22 to 24 in (56 to 61 cm) handles give a drop of about 10 in, which goes over the shoulder of most adults wearing light clothes.
Hang a tape measure over your shoulder, the way a handle would sit, and note where it reaches your armpit. If a tote's listed drop is shorter than that distance, you will carry it in the hand.
What fits in a tote bag
| Item | Item size | Tote needed |
|---|---|---|
| US Letter folder | 9.5 × 11.75 in | 13 in wide × 11 in tall, or taller standing upright |
| A4 sheets | 21 × 29.7 cm | 32 cm (12.6 in) wide or tall, depending on orientation |
| 13 to 14-inch laptop | up to 32.4 × 22.4 cm | 15 in (38 cm) wide |
| 15.6-inch laptop | about 36 × 23.6 cm | 16 to 17 in (41 to 43 cm) wide, with a padded sleeve |
| Bath towel, folded | 27 × 52 in towel | Large tote with a 6 in gusset |
| Two-liter bottle | about 4.3 in across, 12.5 in tall | Lying flat in a large tote; standing in a 13 in tall tote |
A tote is not the best bag for a laptop on a long walk, since it has no padding and the handles sit on one shoulder; the laptop bag size chart covers sleeves and padded options. For a single bag worn across the body, see messenger bag sizes.
Pockets
Interior slip pockets are usually 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) tall and 6 to 10 in wide. Large phones are 6.3 to 6.5 in (160 to 165 mm) tall, so a pocket of at least 7 in (18 cm) keeps one fully inside. A zip pocket for keys and cards needs to be only 5 to 6 in deep.
Canvas weight and custom tote printing
Canvas and cotton totes are graded by fabric weight in ounces per square yard. Promotional cotton totes are commonly 4 to 6 oz; durable canvas totes are 10 to 12 oz, which holds its shape and carries heavier loads without the seams pulling.
- Print area: on a 15 × 16 in tote, the usable print area is typically about 10 × 10 to 12 × 12 in (25 to 30 cm square), leaving a margin from the seams and handle stitching.
- Artwork size: at 300 DPI, a 10 × 10 in design is 3,000 × 3,000 pixels; a 12 × 12 in design is 3,600 × 3,600 pixels.
- Shrinkage: unwashed cotton can shrink 3 to 5 percent on the first hot wash, about half to three-quarters of an inch on a 16 in tote.
Totes compared with other everyday bags
A tote is the largest everyday bag carried by its handles. Between a tote and a clutch sit shoulder bags and crossbody bags, roughly 9 to 13 in wide; between a tote and a travel bag sit gym totes and duffels. Handbag shapes are covered in handbag dimensions and purse sizes, and gym-specific totes in gym bag sizes.
As an airline personal item, a tote's soft sides help: one of 18 × 14 × 6 in fits American's 18 × 14 × 8 in limit. On airlines with smaller limits, check the carry-on rules by airline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the typical size of a tote bag in cm?
A flat cotton tote is usually 38 × 42 cm (15 × 16.5 in) with handles of about 60–70 cm. Gusseted totes are typically 36–41 cm wide, 30–36 cm tall and 13–15 cm deep for a medium size, and 46–51 × 36–41 × 15–20 cm for a large one.
What is the standard size of a canvas tote bag?
15 × 16 in (38 × 41 cm) is the most common blank size used for printed and promotional canvas totes, with about 22–24 in (56–61 cm) handles. Gusseted versions add a 3 to 5 in (8 to 13 cm) bottom gusset to the same footprint.
How tall should the pocket in a tote bag be?
Interior slip pockets are usually 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm) tall. Large phones are about 6.3 to 6.5 in (160 to 165 mm) tall, so a 7 in (18 cm) pocket keeps one fully inside; a 6 in pocket leaves it sticking out.
What size bag is between a tote and a clutch?
A shoulder bag, satchel or crossbody bag. Those typically measure 9 to 13 in wide (23 to 33 cm), larger than a clutch of about 9–11 × 5–6 in but smaller than a 14 to 20-inch tote. See handbag and purse sizes for each style.
Can a tote bag be a personal item on a plane?
Yes, if it fits under the seat and within the airline's personal-item size, such as 18 × 14 × 8 in on American. A standard 15 × 16 in flat tote fits most US limits when not overfilled, but at 41–42 cm tall it is slightly over Ryanair's and Wizz Air's 40 cm limit unless the top folds down.