While shopping for bags online, do you ever see a bag size chart and have no idea how to use it? If yes, you’d be glad to know that you’re not the only one. So let’s start by defining what really is a bag size chart.
A bag size chart is a table with rows that tell you the type of bag and its dimensional values in numbers. The columns specify the type of dimension: height, width, depth, capacity, etc.
How To Measure Your Bag Size?
In order to make sense of a bag size chart, it’s important that you know how to measure it. Here, I’ll explain how you can measure a bag both externally and internally.
External measurement
Follow these steps to relate your bag with the height, width, and depth values in the bag size chart:
- Get a measuring tape.
- Place your bag on the floor.
- Stretch your measuring tape, starting from the floor to the top of your bag. Don’t include the handles in this measurement.
- Note down the value. This is the height of your bag.
- For measuring the width, face the bag’s front and then extend your tape from the left to the right side of the bag.
- Run your measuring tape from the front of your bag to its back, and you’ll have the depth.
The external measurements are what you see on these size charts. So why measure the bag from the inside? Read on to find out.
Internal measurement
The capacity or volume of a bag describes the space inside and gives you an idea of how much you can fit into it. It’s also one of the columns in bag size charts. You can calculate it by using this formula:
Internal height x Internal width x Internal depth = Capacity
Now, to measure the internal height, width, and depth, follow these steps:
- Get a measuring tape.
- Place your bag on the floor and open it.
- Measure the internal height by going from top to bottom.
- Inside the bag, measure it sideways to get the internal width of your bag.
- For the internal depth, move from the front to the back of the bag.
Which Bag Size Suits You?
Here are some bag dimensions for different uses.
Bag Size For Camping
Camping trips usually last from three to ten days. Your camping bag size depends on the duration of camping. It also hinges on the weather conditions of the camping site. You’d need to pack food, clothes, toiletries, towels, water bottles, and more. So a medium-sized bag with the capacity of 35-50 litres (22 inches height, 15 inches width, and 9.5 inches depth) is ideal.
Bag Size For Grocery Shopping
Grocery shopping is an errand that you run weekly. It requires more space to carry bread, vegetables, fruits, and other grocery items. An average grocery bag should hold about 11 to 14 litres of capacity. Dimensions for such a capacity are 12-inch height, 14-inch width, and 11-inch depth.
Bag Size For Air Travel
People fly to places for different reasons. If you’re a business traveller, pick a small cabin bag or carry-on. Your bag should have enough space for a laptop, papers or files, small gadgets and other valuables. A capacity of 16 liters with the dimensions 14.9″ (38 cm) x 10.6″ (27 cm) x 5.1″ is perfect for this purpose.
For 2 to 3 days long trips, consider a larger bag with 40 to 45 litres capacity. It typically has the following internal dimensions: 19″ height x 14.5″ width x 9.5″ depth.
But what if your stay extends to a week? Two weeks? And more than two weeks? Consider the following bag dimensions for these situations.
- One week: 25 inches in height, 22 inches in width, and 13 inches in depth.
- Two weeks: 30 inches in height, 26.4 inches in width, and 15.6 inches in depth.
- More than two weeks: 32 inches in height, 28.16 inches in width, and 16.64 inches in depth.
Bag Size For School
School is central to our lives up until graduation. You go to school every day and need a bag that can hold all your items. School essentials include:
- A laptop
- Binders
- Books
- Notebooks
- Stationery
- Phone
- Ipad
- Water bottle
- Umbrella
- Wallet
For a size that fits all of the items mentioned above, pick a regular-sized bag with the capacity of 18 litres. Consider the following dimensions: 16 inches height, 11 inches width, and 6.3 inches depth.
Bag Size For Nurses
Nurses are healthcare professionals who assist you during your stay at the hospital. Inside their bags, you’ll find the following items:
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Protein shake
- Breath mints
- Pencil pouch with pens, pencils, highlighters, dry erasers, etc.
- Planner
- Lip balm
- Deodorant
- Hand sanitiser
- Sunscreen
- Advil
- Band-aids
They need a bag that can help them survive their 12-hour long shift. The best bag size, in this case, is of the dimensions 15″ width x 14.2″ height x 5.9″ depth with the capacity of 21 litres.
Bag Size For Toddlers
Kids live in their own little world where they also need a backpack. They use it to carry their water bottles, colouring books, lunch boxes, and toys. Their cute bag size holds the following dimensions: 12 inches in height, 10 inches in width, and 4 inches in depth.
Bag Size For Gym
Some people only go to practice yoga and meditation in peace. Others are fitness enthusiasts. They hit the gym every day to run on machines, lift weights, and sometimes, even swim. What could they possibly need? Here is a list:
- Floor mat
- Water bottle
- Gym shoes
- Protein shake
- Towels
- Headphones
- Extra clothes
- Cleaning wipes
- Deodorant
- Hand sanitiser
A duffel bag is the right choice for gym-going people. Typically, they hold the following dimensions: 20″ width x 10″ depth x 11″ height.
Bag Size For A Picnic
Hanging out with your friends and family is important to complete the circle of your life. Arranging a picnic day is a great way to do that. Some things you’d need for your picnic are:
- Drinks
- Bottle opener
- Ice packs
- Snacks
- Speakers for music
Consider a tote bag with the dimensions 13-inch height, 22-inch width and 11-inch depth. They are perfect for a well-rounded picnic.
Bag Size For Lunch
Whether you’re in school, college, or at the office, you need a lunch bag. It keeps you well-nourished, energised and hydrated. A lunch bag of the dimensions 8 inches in height, 10 inches in width and 6.7 inches in depth is ideal for everyday use.
Bag Size For Photographers
Photography is a hobby for some. While for others, it’s a profession. Either way, you need a camera that can capture the wonders of this world. But more importantly, you need a large bag that can help you carry your camera around. The bag dimensions 14.96 width x 7.87 width x 11.81 height are spacious enough for cameras and related equipment.
By now, we all know that no one bag size fits all. It’s why we have bag sizes that range from small to medium to large to extra large. Smaller ones are for when you go out to meet your friends. On the other hand, extra-large bags that lie on the other side of the spectrum come in handy for air travel.
However, at the end of the day, it all comes down to how you like it. Who says you can’t carry a huge bag to the supermarket? Custom solutions is here to cater to all your preferences!
