Paper bag sizes trip up more retailers than you would expect. Order a size too small and your product gets crammed in with the handles straining. Order a size too big and you pay for paper you do not need, the bag looks half empty at the counter, and your customer wonders why their earrings arrived in a bag built for a winter coat.
This guide covers the standard paper bag sizes sold in Australia, how the measurements actually work, and how to match a bag to what you sell. All dimensions below come from our current range, so what you read here is what arrives on the pallet.
The four families of paper bags
Before the numbers, it helps to know what you are choosing between. Most retail paper bags fall into four groups.
Carry bags have twisted paper handles and a flat base. They are the workhorse of retail: bookshops, fashion, gift stores, pharmacies. Available in brown kraft and white.
Boutique bags are wider than they are tall, with a landscape shape that suits apparel, shoe boxes and premium gifts. They present beautifully and photograph well, which matters if your unboxing ends up on social media.
Flat bags have no gusset and no handles. Think greeting cards, prints, small hardware, or a warm pastry from the bakery counter.
Grocery bags (also called SOS or satchel bags) have a square gusseted base so they stand up on their own. They suit produce, takeaway food and counter service. If food is your main game, our takeaway food bags range goes deeper.
How paper bag sizes are measured
Here is where most ordering mistakes happen. Australian suppliers, including us, typically list paper bag dimensions as width x height in millimetres, with the gusset (the depth of the base) listed separately where relevant. So a bag listed as 260x350mm is 260mm wide and 350mm tall.
Two things to check before you order anywhere:
- Confirm the convention. Some overseas suppliers list height first. If a bag seems oddly shaped on paper, that is often why.
- Account for the gusset. A gusseted bag swallows more volume than its face dimensions suggest. A 130mm wide grocery bag with an 80mm gusset holds far more than a flat bag of the same width.
A simple rule for sizing: measure your largest common product, then add 20-40mm of clearance on each side. Products should slide in, not wrestle in.
Paper carry bag sizes (the standard range)
These are the sizes we stock, named by the paper size they comfortably hold where that applies:
| Size name | Dimensions (W x H) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Extra small | 160x265mm | Jewellery, cosmetics, small gifts |
| Mini | 180x200mm | Cards, chocolates, pharmacy items |
| A5 | 200x290mm | Books, candles, skincare sets |
| A4 | 260x350mm | Clothing, shoe boxes (small), wine |
| A3 | 310x420mm | Folded apparel, larger gift boxes |
| Extra large | 440x500mm | Bulky homewares, multiple items |
The A4 carry bag is the most popular size in Australian retail for a reason: it handles most single purchase scenarios without looking oversized. If you only stock one size, stock that one. If you stock two, add the A5 for smaller sales so you are not giving away big bags with small purchases.
Boutique bag sizes
Boutique bags flip the orientation: the width exceeds the height. Our range runs from A4 boutique at 350x250mm through A3 boutique at 420x310mm up to 440x350mm. The wide format keeps folded garments flat and lets a shoe box sit naturally inside.
They cost a little more per unit than standard carry bags. For fashion and premium retail, the difference is worth it: the bag is part of the purchase experience, and customers reuse a good looking bag, which turns your packaging into a walking advertisement.
Flat and grocery bag sizes
Flat brown paper bags run in numbered sizes; our common ones are Size 3 (200x235mm), Size 6 (235x335mm) and Size 8 (270x335mm). No handles, no gusset, just an economical sleeve for flat or small items.
Grocery (SOS) bags stand up on their own thanks to the gusseted base. Size 1 measures 120x210mm with a 60mm gusset; Size 2 measures 130x260mm with an 80mm gusset. The takeaway carry variants add handles and a wider footprint (280x280mm up to 350x320mm) for food orders that need to travel flat and level.
Matching bag size to what you sell
A quick decision path that works for most retailers:
- Measure your top three sellers, including any boxes they come in.
- Pick the smallest bag that fits the largest of them with 20-40mm clearance per side.
- Add one size smaller for low value or small item sales.
- Check weight, not just fit. Twisted handle kraft bags carry everyday retail loads comfortably, but for very heavy items (multiple wine bottles, hardware) step up in size and paper weight, or consider a reusable option like calico bags. We have a separate guide on calico bag sizes and GSM if you are weighing that up.
Still deciding between paper and plastic for your counter? Our comparison of paper bags versus plastic bags covers cost, sustainability and durability in detail.
Popular paper bag sizes, ready to ship
Buying tips: quantities, printing and cost per bag
Paper bags get cheaper per unit the more you buy, and carton quantities (typically 250-500 for standard sizes, 25-125 for larger formats) are the sweet spot for most stores. A retailer using 40 bags a day goes through roughly 1,000-1,200 a month, so a couple of cartons per size is a sensible starting order. For genuinely large volumes, a bulk quote through our Request a Quote page will beat shelf pricing.
If you want your logo on the bag, standard sizes are exactly what printers work with. Our express custom printed packaging service prints on the same stock sizes listed above, so you can trial plain bags first and switch to printed without changing your sizing.
One last practical note: store your cartons flat and dry. Paper bags kept in a humid back room lose rigidity, and the handles are usually the first thing to suffer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common paper bag size in Australia?
The A4 carry bag (260x350mm with twisted paper handles) is the most widely used retail size. It suits clothing, books, gift boxes and most single item purchases, which is why many stores treat it as their default.
How do I read paper bag measurements?
Our listings show width x height in millimetres, with any gusset noted separately. A 260x350mm bag is 260mm wide and 350mm tall. Always check the convention when comparing suppliers, as some list height first.
What size paper bag do I need for clothing?
Folded tops and lightweight garments fit an A4 carry bag (260x350mm). For jeans, knitwear or multiple items, step up to A3 (310x420mm) or a boutique bag (420x310mm), whose landscape shape keeps folded clothes flat.
How much weight can a paper carry bag hold?
Twisted handle kraft carry bags manage typical retail loads (roughly 4-6kg depending on size and paper weight) without trouble. Weight ratings vary by construction, so for consistently heavy products test a sample first or ask us for a recommendation on 1800 555 343.
Are brown and white paper bags the same size?
Yes. Our brown kraft and white carry bags share the same standard dimensions, so you can switch colours without re-checking fit. White stock tends to suit fashion and beauty branding; brown kraft reads as natural and eco-conscious.
Can I get standard paper bag sizes custom printed?
Yes. Custom printing runs on the same standard sizes covered in this guide, so sizing stays identical when you move from plain to printed. See our express custom printed packaging range for minimums and turnaround.
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