Paper Bag Sizes: What #2 to #25 Mean, Plus Handle Bags
By the Avco Boxes team · Updated
Flat-bottom paper bags are sized by number, such as #2, #6 or #20: the higher the number, the bigger the bag. Small numbers suit cookies and pastries, mid sizes hold a sandwich or a meal for one, and #12 and up carry larger takeout orders. Handle bags are sized in inches instead. Exact dimensions vary by manufacturer.
Two ways paper bags are sized
Paper bags used in food service are labelled in one of two ways, depending on the style of bag.
| Bag style | How it is sized | Common uses |
|---|---|---|
| Flat-bottom (SOS) bags, also called lb bags | By number, from small sizes like #2 up to #20 and beyond | Bakery items, sandwiches, deli and takeout orders |
| Handle bags | By dimensions in inches | Takeout meals, boxed bakery orders, retail |
| Specialty food bags | By the item they are made for | Burgers, single items and other grab-and-go food |
SOS stands for self-opening sack. These bags have a flat, rectangular bottom and folded sides, called gussets, so they open with a flick and stand up on the counter while you fill them.
What the # numbers mean
The # is the pound sign, which is why flat-bottom bags are often called lb bags. The numbering grew out of how much a bag was meant to carry, but today it works as a size label: a #8 is bigger than a #6 and smaller than a #10.
What the number does not tell you is the exact size. Width, gusset and height for the same number vary from one manufacturer to another, so always check the dimensions on the listing before you order, especially if the bag has to fit a particular container.
| Size range | Typical uses |
|---|---|
| #2 to #4 | Cookies, a pastry or two, candy, small retail items |
| #5 to #6 | A sandwich, bagels, muffins, a burger and a small side |
| #8 to #10 | A meal for one or two, several pastries, deli orders |
| #12 to #16 | Takeout for a small group, multiple containers |
| #20 to #25 | Large takeout orders and bulkier items |
These ranges are general guidance. Because dimensions vary by manufacturer, measure the largest item or container you need to pack and compare it with the bag's listed size.
Handle bag sizes
Handle bags are listed by their dimensions, usually width x gusset (depth) x height in inches. The width and gusset together give you the size of the base, which is the measurement that matters most for takeout containers and boxes, since they need to sit flat.
| Name | Size | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Bistro | 10 x 7 x 13 | A takeout meal for one or two, coffee shop and bakery orders |
| Missie | 10 x 5 x 13 | Slimmer items, retail goods, bottles and flat boxes |
| Martin | 13 x 7 x 17 | Larger takeout orders and taller items |
| Super | 14 x 10 x 16 | Family meals, stacked containers and larger boxes |
Before choosing, set your largest container or bakery box on a table and measure its base. It should fit within the bag's width and gusset. If you also sell cakes, the cake box sizes guide lists common box footprints to check against.
How to pick the right paper bag size
- Size the bag to the container, not the food. A sandwich in a clamshell needs more room than a wrapped one.
- Leave room to fold the top over on flat-bottom bags. A bag filled to the brim is hard to close.
- Think about weight. Heavier orders with several containers are easier to carry in a handle bag.
- Keep the line-up short. Two or three flat-bottom sizes plus one handle bag cover most counter and takeout orders.
- Match the bag to the rest of your packaging. If your boxes and cups carry your logo, a printed bag finishes the order.
Most food-service paper bags come in white or natural brown kraft. Kraft has a plain, rustic look, while white shows printed colours more brightly. The kraft paper guide explains what kraft paper is and how it differs from other papers.
Custom printed paper bags from Avco
Avco prints custom lb paper bags in the USA in #2, #4, #5, #6, #8, #10, #12, #16, #20 and #25. They come in white or kraft, printed on one or two sides, at 400 per bundle with a 4-bundle minimum, from $55 per bundle.
Paper handle bags come in the four sizes above, Bistro, Missie, Martin and Super, in white or kraft and printed on one or two sides. They are 100 per bundle with a 4-bundle minimum, from $49.95 per bundle. For specific items, Avco also prints burger bags and single-serve bags, both at 400 per bundle.
Every order gets a free digital proof and a one-time $75 artwork setup, and production takes 7–10 business days after you approve the proof. Browse all custom paper bags or the paper handle bags collection.
Frequently asked questions
- What does the number on a paper bag mean?
- On flat-bottom bags, the number is a size label. The # is the pound sign, and a higher number means a bigger bag. Exact dimensions vary by manufacturer.
- Are paper bag sizes the same between brands?
- Not exactly. Two bags with the same number can differ in width, gusset and height from one maker to another, so check the listed dimensions before ordering.
- What size paper bag do I need for takeout?
- A single sandwich or burger fits a small to mid flat-bottom bag, around #5 to #8. Orders with several containers are easier in a #12 or larger, or a handle bag with a base big enough for your containers.
- What sizes do paper handle bags come in?
- Handle bags are sized in inches. Avco's are Bistro 10 x 7 x 13, Missie 10 x 5 x 13, Martin 13 x 7 x 17 and Super 14 x 10 x 16.