Bag Size Calculator
Enter how many days you are travelling, how you pack and whether you need cold weather clothes. The calculator gives the bag volume in litres, the type of bag and its typical size.
- Bag volume
- Bag type
- Packed weight
Past a week, most people do laundry rather than pack more.
Plan about 10 litres plus 5 litres a day. A 5 day trip for an average packer needs about 35 litres, a carry-on bag. Pack light and 28 litres will do, add cold weather clothes and it rises to 42.
Bag size chart
Average packer. Search for a trip.
| Days | Light (L) | Average (L) | Heavy (L) | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 12 | 15 | 20 | Daypack |
| 2 | 16 | 20 | 26 | Daypack |
| 3 | 20 | 25 | 32 | Daypack |
| 5 | 28 | 35 | 46 | Carry-on |
| 7 | 36 | 45 | 58 | Carry-on |
| 10 | 41 | 51 | 66 | Medium checked |
| 14 | 47 | 59 | 77 | Medium checked |
| 21 | 58 | 73 | 95 | Large checked |
| 28 | 70 | 87 | 113 | Large checked |
Litres.
Trip length and bag
Average packer. Slide the days.
The bag grows with the trip.
How to choose a bag size
Days to litres. Step through it.
Days
Count.
Weigh the packed bag before you leave the house.
Backpack, carry-on or checked
Bag types. Compare them.
Under 25 L.
25 to 45 L.
45 L and up.
A carry-on saves time at the airport and the cost of a checked bag.
Before you pack
Packing checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Roll clothes and use packing cubes to fit more in.
What you get
Bag sizing. Each tile explains one result.
Litres.
Bag.
Typical.
Packed.
Added.
Most airlines allow cabin bags of about 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
What size bag do I need for a week?
About forty five litres for an average packer, a large carry-on.
What size bag for a weekend?
About twenty to twenty five litres, a daypack.
How many litres is a carry-on bag?
Usually about thirty five to forty five litres.
How do I fit more in a small bag?
Roll clothes, use packing cubes and wear the bulkiest items.
Is a backpack or a wheeled bag better?
Backpacks suit stairs and rough ground, wheels suit airports.
Does cold weather need a bigger bag?
Yes, about a fifth more for coats and layers.
How heavy will my bag be?
About a quarter of a kilogram for every litre when packed.
Pack once, pack right
Choose a bag that fits your trip and you travel lighter without leaving the essentials behind.
More size calculators
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