What Size Drawstring Bag Do I Need for Soap, Candles, Jewelry and Coffee?
A 4×6 in bag fits a standard bar of soap, a 3×4 fits a necklace, a 5×7 fits an 8 oz candle and a 7×9 fits 250 g of coffee. The full chart, the one-inch rule and prices by size.
Published 4 min read
Last updated: October 23, 2026 · By Monam Shajar, Cotton Pouch
Quick answer: pick a drawstring bag about 1 inch wider and 2 inches taller than your product. In practice that means a 4×6 in bag for a standard 4 oz bar of soap, a 2×3 or 3×4 in bag for jewelry, a 4×6 to 6×8 in bag for candles (by tin or jar size) and a 7×9 in bag for 250 g (about 8 oz) of coffee beans, or an 8×10 for 500 g.
This guide is written by Cotton Pouch, a supplier of cotton drawstring bags based in Jackson, New Jersey. We stock 24 sizes from 2×3 to 24×34 inches and pack them every day for soap makers, candle makers, jewelers and coffee roasters, so the sizes below come from what our customers actually put in them.
Drawstring bag size chart by product
| Product | Typical size | Best bag size | Go up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring, stud earrings, a single charm | under 1.5 in | 2×3 in | 3×4 in with a gift card |
| Necklace, earring set, lip balm, sample sachet | about 2×2 in | 3×4 in | 3×5 in |
| Bracelet, watch, USB drive | about 2×3.5 in | 3×5 in | 4×6 in |
| Standard bar of soap (4 oz) | about 3.5×2.5×1 in | 4×6 in | 5×7 in for thick or round bars |
| Bath bomb | 2.5–3 in across | 4×6 in | 5×7 in for 3.5 in bombs |
| Candle tin, 4 oz | about 2.5 in across | 4×6 in | 5×7 in |
| Candle tin or jar, 8 oz | about 3–3.5 in across | 5×7 in | 6×8 in for tall jars |
| Large 3-wick candle | about 4–5 in across | 8×10 in | 8×12 in |
| Loose-leaf tea, 50–100 g | soft pack | 5×7 in | 6×8 in |
| Coffee beans, 250 g (about 8 oz) | soft pack | 7×9 in | 8×10 in |
| Coffee beans, 500 g (about 1 lb) | soft pack | 8×10 in | 8×12 in |
Sizes are the flat bag, width × height, in inches. See every size in the drawstring bag size guide.
The fit rule: add 1 inch to the width and 2 inches to the height
Measure your product at its widest and tallest point. Add 1 inch to the width so the bag sits around the product instead of stretching over it, and 2 inches to the height so the drawstring channel has room to gather. The channel takes up the top 1–1.5 inches of every bag, so the usable depth is always a little less than the size on the label.
The most common mistake is ordering a bag the same size as the product. A 4×6 bag will not close comfortably over a 4×6 box. Go up one size.
What size bag for soap?
A 4×6 in bag fits a standard 4 oz rectangular bar (about 3.5 × 2.5 × 1 in) with room to tie a bow. For thick, round or 5–6 oz bars, and for a bar with a folded label or a soap dish, use a 5×7 in bag. Guest-size bars of 1–2 oz fit a 3×5 in bag. Soap makers often choose cotton because it lets the bar breathe; a cotton mesh bag also doubles as a soap saver in the shower.
What size bag for candles?
Go by the container. A 4 oz tin fits a 4×6 in bag, an 8 oz tin or jar fits a 5×7 in bag, and tall jars or jars with lids fit a 6×8 in bag. Large 3-wick candles need an 8×10 in bag. For heavy glass jars, a 210 GSM canvas bag holds its shape and protects the glass better than light muslin.
What size bag for jewelry?
Rings and single studs fit a 2×3 in bag. Necklaces and earring sets fit a 3×4 in bag. Bracelets and watches need a 3×5 in bag, and a full set with a care card fits a 4×6. Jewelers often prefer black cotton bags because silver and gold stand out against them.
What size bag for coffee and tea?
A 7×9 in bag holds 250 g (about 8 oz) of whole beans and an 8×10 in bag holds 500 g (about 1 lb). Cotton breathes, so put the coffee in a sealed liner inside the bag if it will be stored for more than a few days. Loose-leaf tea samples of 50–100 g fit a 5×7 in bag; muslin has been used for tea and dried herbs for centuries because the open weave lets moisture out.
What do these sizes cost?
At Cotton Pouch, every size can be bought as a single bag so you can test the fit, then in packs of 25, 50, 100 and 500. Prices below are for natural 145 GSM cotton muslin, as of October 2026.
| Bag size | One bag | Per bag in a pack of 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2×3 in | $5.99 | $0.24 |
| 3×4 in | $5.99 | $0.26 |
| 4×6 in | $5.99 | $0.31 |
| 5×7 in | $5.99 | $0.36 |
| 7×9 in | $5.99 | $0.43 |
| 8×10 in | $5.99 | $0.51 |
Shipping is free in the US with no minimum order, and in-stock bags ship from New Jersey in 1–2 business days. Not sure between two sizes? Order one of each, or build a Spec Box of samples first.
Frequently asked questions
What size drawstring bag fits a bar of soap?
A 4×6 inch bag fits a standard 4 oz bar of soap (about 3.5 × 2.5 × 1 inches). Use a 5×7 inch bag for thick, round or 5–6 oz bars, and a 3×5 inch bag for guest-size bars.
What size bag do I need for an 8 oz candle?
A 5×7 inch bag fits most 8 oz candle tins and jars, which are about 3–3.5 inches across. Use a 6×8 inch bag for tall jars or jars with lids.
What is the best size jewelry pouch?
3×4 inches is the most versatile jewelry pouch: it fits necklaces and earring sets. Use 2×3 inches for rings and single pieces and 3×5 inches for bracelets and watches.
How much coffee fits in a 7×9 drawstring bag?
A 7×9 inch bag holds about 250 g (8 oz) of whole coffee beans. For 500 g (about 1 lb), use an 8×10 inch bag.
How do I measure for a drawstring bag?
Measure the product's widest and tallest point, then add 1 inch to the width and 2 inches to the height. Drawstring bags are sized flat, width first, and the drawstring channel is included in the height.
Written by
Monam Shajar, Cotton Pouch
Cotton Pouch makes and ships cotton drawstring bags from Jackson, New Jersey: 24 sizes in muslin, canvas and mesh, packed every day for soap, candle, jewelry, tea and coffee brands.
