Tote Bag Sizes & Dimensions: A Wholesale Size Chart

Tote bag sizes are quoted in centimetres as width × height, plus gusset depth when the bag has one. Most sizing problems come from mixing up flat and gusseted measurements, or picking a bag by its panel width without checking the handle drop or the printable area for a logo. This guide gives a full tote bag size chart in cm and inches, maps each standard size to its real-world use (promotions, bookstores, boutiques, grocery and heavy loads), explains handle and strap lengths, and lists the exact in-stock size grids we produce — with artwork sizes, MOQ and lead times for custom orders.

How tote bag dimensions are measured

Lay the empty tote flat and measure across the panel (width), from the bottom edge to the top opening (height), and — only on gusseted bags — across the folded side panel (depth). Width and height are written in that order; depth is the third number. A flat 30 × 35 cm bag has no usable thickness beyond what the fabric folds give, while a 30 × 35 × 10 cm bag holds a genuine 10 cm-deep box standing up, so the two are not interchangeable even though the first two numbers match.

• Width (W) × height (H) for flat bags; W × H × depth (D) for gusseted bags.
• Seam allowance removes about 1 cm from each panel compared to the cut fabric.
• Soft flat bags wrap around items 3–5 cm thicker than the panel; rigid boxes need an exact dimensional match.
• Tolerance on stitched canvas is typically ±1 cm, slightly more after washing.

Standard tote bag size chart (cm and inches)

These eight tiers cover nearly every promotional and retail use. They are the sizes Chinese canvas bag factories cut most often, so stock, sampling and reorders on these dimensions are fastest and cheapest.

Which tote size for which use

Tote handle and strap lengths

Handle length is the second number buyers forget to specify. It is measured as the drop — the distance from the top of the bag panel to the inside top of the handle when the bag is held. Drop decides whether the bag is hand/elbow carry, shoulder carry or crossbody, and it is independent of the panel size, so it must be confirmed separately in your spec.

*Total strap length is roughly twice the drop plus the distance between the attachment points on the panel. Short handles are sewn as a pair on the front and back panels; long and crossbody straps are usually one continuous strip. Ribbon and contrast-fabric straps follow the same drops and are common on gift-focused lines.

In-stock size grids (with MOQ)

These are the exact size grids of our canvas lines. Storefront MOQ starts at 50 pieces for blank and printed standard sizes; pricing is tiered by quantity, fabric weight and decoration, so the current tier price is shown on each product page and confirmed in your quote rather than fixed in a guide.

Logo size and print area by tote size

Artwork must fit inside a safe print area centred on the panel — roughly 10 cm smaller than the panel on each dimension to clear seams, hems and handle attachments. Centred one-colour screen print is the default; embroidery uses a slightly smaller area to keep the design from puckering.

Decoration method is chosen alongside size: screen print for bold solid logos, heat transfer for full-colour and small-run artwork, and embroidery for premium headwear-style branding. Full method and MOQ detail is covered in our custom-logo tote guide; the key sizing point is that the artwork is scaled to the panel before plates or digitising are made, so send the bag size and artwork together.

Fabric weight, packing and freight

Size and fabric weight together decide carton weight and freight. Common canvas runs 8 oz for economy promotions, 10 oz as the all-purpose standard and 12 oz for bags meant to be washed and reused; the full oz-to-GSM comparison is in our canvas weight guide. Totes ship flat and nest tightly: a standard 60 × 40 × 40 cm export carton holds roughly 200–250 of the 30 × 35 cm 8 oz bags but only 100–120 of the 40 × 50 cm 12 oz size. Gusseted bags take proportionally more room because the folded sides cannot nest.

• Blank standard sizes: MOQ from 50 pieces, sampling 5–7 days.
• Custom one-colour print: MOQ from 50 pieces on standard panels; extra colours add per-colour setup.
• Custom non-standard sizes: new cutting form, quoted per dieline, sampling about 7–10 days.
• Bulk lead time runs about 15–25 days depending on quantity and decoration; rush schedules are quoted case by case.

Tote bag size FAQ