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 24×34 holds bedding. The table below lists all 19 sizes we make, in inches and centimetres, with what each one actually fits.
We make every size in cotton muslin, cotton canvas and cotton mesh, and print or embroider your logo onto any of them from 500 units.
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 | 250g of coffee beans, loose leaf tea, a pair of socks | Coffee and tea packaging |
| 6 × 8 | 15 × 20 | A large candle, a small mug, a jewellery set | Retail gift packaging |
| 6 × 10 | 15 × 25 | A slim bottle, a rolled poster, long-handled tools | Bottle sleeves, craft kits |
| 8 × 10 | 20 × 25 | 500g of coffee, a notebook, a folded scarf | Subscription boxes, stationery |
| 8 × 12 | 20 × 30 | A folded t-shirt, children’s shoes, a skein of yarn | Apparel packaging, craft supplies |
| 10 × 12 | 25 × 30 | 1kg of dry goods, bakery items, a small linen set | Bulk food, bakery |
| 10 × 16 | 25 × 40 | A bread loaf, larger produce, a rolled yoga mat strap | Bread bags, produce |
| 12 × 16 | 30 × 40 | A pair of adult shoes, a week of produce shopping | Shoe dust bags, reusable produce bags |
| 12 × 18 | 30 × 45 | Bulk produce, a folded sweater, laundry | Grocery, travel laundry |
| 12 × 20 | 30 × 50 | Larger produce hauls, boots, seasonal storage | Storage, farm shops |
| 16 × 20 | 40 × 50 | A folded blanket, bedding, a handbag | Home storage, dust covers |
| 18 × 20 | 45 × 50 | Larger linens, cushion covers | 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.
Minimum order for custom printing is 500 units, and lead time is 2–3 weeks 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 12×20.
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.
What is the minimum order for custom printed drawstring bags?
500 units for printing or embroidery. Blank bags have no minimum — you can buy a single pouch to check the size and fabric before committing to a run.
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 and the certifying body 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.