Kraft Paper Gift Bag Sizes: Small, Medium and Large (With Real Dimensions)
"Small, medium, large" means something different on every supplier's site. One shop's medium is another shop's small, and a bag that looks right in a photo can turn out an inch too narrow for the candle you bought it for. This guide lists the exact dimensions of the kraft paper gift bags we stock, what each one actually fits, and how to measure your product so you order the right size the first time.
Kraft paper gift bag size chart
| Size | Dimensions | Colors | Case counts | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 5.25 x 3.75 x 8 | Brown, white, black | 200, 400 | Jewelry boxes, ornaments, small candles, skincare minis, gift cards with a treat |
| Medium | 8 x 4.5 x 10 | Brown, white, black | 300, 600 | Candle jars, mugs, cookie tins, cosmetic sets, a folded T-shirt |
| Tall | 10 x 5 x 13 | Brown, white | 100, 300 | Boxed gift sets, books, two or three items together, retail purchases |
| Large (wide) | 16 x 6 x 12 | Brown, black, white, red | 100, 200, 400 | Folded sweaters and apparel, wide boxes, multi-item purchases |
All four are kraft paper with a flat, stand-up bottom and attached handles. Colors and case counts are as listed on the product pages; not every color is offered in every case size, so check the variant list before ordering.
Two related bags sit outside the small/medium/large range. For Christmas, our 8.6 x 7 x 3.3 in printed Christmas kraft bags (120 gsm, six designs) sit between small and medium. For bulk carry-out, the 12 x 7 x 17 in fold-top bag is 60 lb kraft without handles, closer to a grocery bag than a gift bag.
How to read gift bag dimensions
Paper bag sizes are usually written as width x gusset x height:
- Width is the face of the bag, side to side.
- Gusset (sometimes "depth") is the folded side panel. It sets how thick an item can be and equals the depth of the flat bottom.
- Height is from the bottom to the top edge, not counting the handles.
So a 10 x 5 x 13 bag has a 10 x 5 inch base and stands 13 inches tall. The 16 x 6 x 12 bag is the odd one: it is wider than it is tall, a landscape shape built for folded apparel and wide boxes rather than tall items.
Product listings are not always consistent about the order. If a size looks strange, the gusset is almost always the smallest of the three numbers.
What fits in each size
Small: 5.25 x 3.75 x 8 in
The checkout-counter size. It takes a jewelry box, a tin candle, lip balm and skincare minis, a few cookies, or a gift card with something small. The 3.75 inch gusset handles a standard 8 oz candle tin or a small boxed item. Twisted paper handles are rated for 4 lb on the product page. At $0.17–$0.21 a bag by the case, it is also the cheapest way to make a small purchase feel like a gift. See the small kraft gift bag.
Medium: 8 x 4.5 x 10 in
The most versatile size for gift shops. A candle jar, a mug, a cookie tin, a boxed cosmetic set or a folded T-shirt all fit with room for tissue. If you only stock one size beyond small, this is usually the one. See the medium kraft gift bag.
Tall: 10 x 5 x 13 in
A general retail and gift bag. It holds books, boxed gift sets and several small items together, and its twisted paper handles are rated for 10 lb on the product page, the highest of the four. The 3.5 inch handle drop makes it comfortable to carry by hand. See the tall kraft gift bag.
Large (wide): 16 x 6 x 12 in
Built for apparel boutiques and anyone selling wide items. A folded sweater or two folded shirts lie flat across the 16 inch width, and wide gift boxes sit on the 16 x 6 base without tilting. It is also the size for a customer buying several gifts at once. See the large kraft gift bag.
How to measure your product
Measure the item in the packaging it will go in the bag with, then check three things:
- Width: the product's widest face should be at least half an inch to an inch narrower than the bag width, so it slides in without forcing the side folds.
- Depth: the product's thickness should be equal to or less than the gusset. This is the dimension people forget, and the one that makes a bag bulge or split at the bottom.
- Height: leave about 2 inches between the top of the product and the top of the bag if you use tissue paper. Without tissue, an inch is enough.
Example: a boxed candle measuring 4 x 4 x 5 inches. Small fails on depth (4 in item, 3.75 in gusset). Medium works: 4 inches fits the 8 inch width and 4.5 inch gusset, and the 5 inch height leaves 5 inches for tissue. Medium is the right bag.
If you sell a handful of hero products, measure those five and pick the two bag sizes that cover them. Most shops do not need all four sizes.
Colors, handles and weight
Brown kraft is the classic natural look and hides scuffs well; it suits bakeries, candle makers, handmade goods and any brand going for a rustic feel. White kraft looks cleaner and takes stamps, stickers and colored logos especially well. Black reads as more upscale for boutiques and beauty brands. The 16 x 6 x 12 also comes in red, which is useful for Christmas and Valentine's Day.
On handle strength, the product pages state 4 lb for the small bag and 10 lb for the 10 x 5 x 13. The medium and large pages do not give a rating. If you plan to put heavy items such as glass jars or bottles in them, test a few loaded bags before committing to a case. All four are made of recyclable kraft paper.
Buying by the case
| Size | Smaller case | Larger case | Per bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small 5.25 x 3.75 x 8 | 200 for $41.99 | 400 for $67.99 | $0.21 to $0.17 |
| Medium 8 x 4.5 x 10 | 300 for $75.99 | 600 for $137.99 | $0.25 to $0.23 |
| Tall 10 x 5 x 13 | 100 for $31.99 | 300 for $79.99 | $0.32 to $0.27 |
| Large 16 x 6 x 12 | 100 for $38.99 | 400 for $127.99 (200 for $73.99 also available) | $0.39 to $0.32 |
The larger case lowers the per-bag cost on every size, by about 9% on the medium and 17–19% on the small, tall and large sizes. Plain kraft bags do not go out of season, so if you use a size every month, the larger case is usually the better buy. If you are testing a new size, start with the smaller case. For more on case packs and paper weight, see our paper bags wholesale guide.
FAQ
What is a standard small gift bag size?
There is no industry standard, but small kraft gift bags usually fall around 5 x 3.5 x 8 inches. Ours is 5.25 x 3.75 x 8 inches, which fits jewelry boxes, small candles and skincare minis.
What size is a medium kraft gift bag?
Typically around 8 x 4 x 10 inches. Ours is 8 x 4.5 x 10 inches, which fits mugs, candle jars and folded T-shirts.
What size kraft bag fits a sweater?
A wide bag. Our 16 x 6 x 12 inch bag lets a folded sweater lie flat. A tall 10 x 5 x 13 bag also works for a thin, tightly folded knit.
What does the middle number in a bag size mean?
It is usually the gusset, the folded side panel. It sets the depth of the base and the thickest item the bag can hold without bulging.
Are kraft paper gift bags recyclable?
Yes. Our kraft gift bags are made of recyclable kraft paper. Remove any plastic ribbon or stickers before recycling.
Related reading
- Christmas Gift Bags Wholesale: How to Stock for the Holidays
- Paper Gift Bags: Types, Sizes & How to Choose
- Paper Bag Sizes and Thickness: How to Choose
- Paper Bag Handles Explained: 5 Types
Sources: JiaroPack product pages for dimensions, colors, handle ratings, case counts and list prices, read November 2, 2026. Prices may change; the product page is always current.
Dejar un comentario