Drawstring Bag Size Guide
Cotton drawstring bags are sized by the flat width and height of the bag in inches, measured before it is filled. A 3×4 inch bag holds a necklace or a sample sachet; a 12×16 holds a pair of adult shoes; a 16×20 holds a load of folded laundry; a 24×34 holds bedding. The table below lists all 24 sizes we stock, in inches and centimetres, with what each one actually fits.
Most sizes are available in cotton muslin, cotton canvas and cotton mesh, and we print or embroider your logo onto them from 500 units. In-stock blank bags ship in 1–2 business days with no minimum order.
Drawstring bag size chart
| Size (inches) | Size (cm) | What it fits | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 × 3 | 5 × 8 | A ring, a pair of earrings, a single charm | Jewellery packaging |
| 3 × 4 | 8 × 10 | A necklace, a lip balm, a sample sachet | Cosmetics samples, jewellery |
| 3 × 5 | 8 × 13 | A bracelet, a watch, a USB drive | Small accessories, tech gifts |
| 4 × 6 | 10 × 15 | A bar of soap, a tea sample, a votive candle | Party favours, soap packaging |
| 5 × 7 | 13 × 18 | A spice blend, bath salts, a small toy | Wedding favours, spice packaging |
| 5 × 8 | 13 × 20 | A taller soap bar, a small bottle, a spice jar, pens and small tools | Soap, spice and stationery packaging |
| 6 × 8 | 15 × 20 | A large candle, a small mug, a jewellery set | Retail gift packaging |
| 6 × 10 | 15 × 25 | A small book or kit, a tall bottle, a utensil set | Kits, bottle packaging |
| 7 × 9 | 18 × 23 | 250g of coffee beans, loose leaf tea, a folded scarf | Coffee and tea packaging |
| 7 × 12 | 18 × 30 | A slim bottle, a rolled poster, long-handled tools | Bottle sleeves, craft kits |
| 8 × 10 | 20 × 25 | 500g of coffee, a notebook, a small linen set | Subscription boxes, stationery |
| 8 × 12 | 20 × 30 | A folded t-shirt, children’s shoes, a skein of yarn | Apparel packaging, craft supplies |
| 9 × 12 | 23 × 30 | A hardback book, a folded hoodie, bakery items | Retail packaging, bakery |
| 10 × 12 | 25 × 30 | 1kg of dry goods, a cushion cover, bulk spices | Bulk food, home textiles |
| 10 × 15 | 25 × 38 | A bread loaf, larger produce, a rolled yoga strap | Bread bags, produce |
| 10 × 16 | 25 × 40 | A week of produce shopping, a folded sweater | Reusable produce bags |
| 12 × 16 | 30 × 40 | A pair of adult shoes, bulk produce | Shoe dust bags, grocery |
| 12 × 18 | 30 × 45 | Boots, a folded blanket, travel laundry | Travel laundry, storage |
| 12 × 20 | 30 × 50 | Larger produce hauls, seasonal storage | Storage, farm shops |
| 14 × 17 | 36 × 43 | A handbag, bedding, a folded coat | Dust covers, home storage |
| 16 × 20 | 41 × 51 | A load of folded laundry, a set of sheets, a large handbag or tote | Laundry bags, handbag dust bags |
| 18 × 20 | 45 × 50 | Larger linens, cushion sets | Linen storage |
| 20 × 24 | 50 × 60 | A duvet, winter coats, bulk storage | Seasonal storage |
| 24 × 34 | 60 × 86 | Bulk storage, several folded garments | Warehouse and wholesale storage |
How to pick a size in thirty seconds
Measure the item at its widest and tallest point, then add one inch to the width and two inches to the height. The extra width lets the bag sit around the item rather than stretch over it; the extra height gives the drawstring channel somewhere to gather.
Two things people get wrong:
- Ordering a bag the same size as the item. A 4×6 bag will not comfortably close over a 4×6 box. Go up a size.
- Forgetting the drawstring channel. The top inch to inch and a half of every bag is the channel. It is included in the stated height, so usable depth is slightly less than the number on the label.
Muslin, canvas or mesh?
Same sizes, three different fabrics, and they are not interchangeable.
| Fabric | Weight | Best for | Avoid for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton muslin | Light, loose weave | Tea, herbs, spices, jewellery, favours — anything that needs to breathe | Heavy or sharp items |
| Cotton canvas | 210 GSM, tight weave | Shoes, tools, retail packaging, anything with weight | Items that need airflow |
| Cotton mesh | Open net | Produce, laundry, anything wet or that needs to dry | Small items that slip through |
If you are packaging food, muslin is almost always the answer — the open weave lets moisture escape, which is why loose leaf tea and dried herbs have been sold in it for two hundred years.
Sizes for custom printing
Any size can be screen printed, heat transferred or embroidered, but the print area is not the whole bag. As a rule the usable print area is about 60% of the bag’s width and 50% of its height, centred, leaving room for the seams and the drawstring channel.
On a 5×7 bag that is roughly a 3×3.5 inch print — enough for a wordmark or a compact logo, not enough for a detailed illustration. If your artwork is detailed, go up to 8×10 or larger.
Blank bags are in stock and ship in 1–2 business days with no minimum. Custom printing starts at 500 units, with a 2–3 week lead time from artwork approval. See the custom order page for methods and pricing, or examples of work we have printed.
Frequently asked questions
How are drawstring bags measured?
Flat width first, then height, in inches, measured with the bag empty and laid flat. A 5×7 bag is 5 inches across and 7 inches tall. The drawstring channel is included in the height, so usable depth is about an inch less.
What is the difference between a muslin bag and a cotton drawstring bag?
Muslin is a type of cotton, not a different thing. All muslin bags are cotton drawstring bags; not all cotton drawstring bags are muslin. Muslin specifically means a lightweight, loosely woven cotton, which is why it breathes. A cotton canvas drawstring bag is heavier and tighter woven.
What size drawstring bag fits a pair of shoes?
12×16 inches for adult shoes, 8×12 for children’s. If you are packing boots, go to 12×18.
What size drawstring bag is best for laundry?
16×20 inches. It holds a load of folded laundry or a set of sheets and still draws closed. For socks and delicates, 12×16; for bedding and bulk loads, 24×34. Cotton or polyester mesh lets damp laundry breathe; muslin and canvas keep what is inside out of sight. See the 16×20 drawstring bag.
What size bag do I need for jewellery?
3×4 inches covers most necklaces and earring sets. 2×3 is right for rings and single pieces. If you are packaging a full set with a card, 4×6.
Can cotton drawstring bags be washed and reused?
Yes. Machine wash cold, tumble dry low or line dry. Natural undyed cotton will shrink about 3–5% on the first wash, so if exact finished size matters, order one size up or ask us for pre-shrunk stock.
How quickly do orders ship?
Blank bags are held in stock and ship in 1–2 business days, free anywhere in the USA, with no minimum order. Custom printed and embroidered runs start at 500 units and take 2–3 weeks from the day you approve the artwork.
Are your cotton bags organic?
Our cotton is covered by GOTS — the Global Organic Textile Standard. It audits the whole chain: the fibre, the dyes, the water and the working conditions, not just the finished bag, and it is re-audited every year. Details are on the certifications page.
Still not sure? Order a single bag in the size you think you need and check it against your product before committing to a run. Browse muslin bags, cotton drawstring pouches, or email info@cottonpouch.com — we will tell you what we would use.