Cookie Bag Sizes Guide

Bag sizes are written width first, then length, in inches. A 4 x 6 bag is 4 inches across the opening and 6 inches from the opening to the bottom.

Gusseted bags and pouches add a third number. A 3 x 2 x 8 bag is 3 inches wide, has a 2 inch gusset that opens out at the sides or base, and stands 8 inches tall.

The width you need is not the same as the cookie width. A flat bag loses width as soon as something goes inside, because the front and back panels have to curve around the cookie.

That is why a 3 inch cookie does not fit a 3 inch bag. Keep that in mind as you read the size table further down.

Pouches sometimes list a fill volume instead of dimensions. Ignore it for cookies. Volume tells you how much loose product fits, not whether a 4 inch cookie slides in flat.

When comparing quotes from different suppliers, check that both list width first. A 6 x 4 bag and a 4 x 6 bag are very different shapes.

Flat bags suit single cookies and short stacks. They lie flat on a counter, pack quickly and show the most of a decorated cookie.

Gusset bags fold out at the sides, so a stack stands square instead of bulging. They are the better choice once you sell four or more cookies in one bag.

Stand-up pouches have a folded base that opens when filled, so they stand on a shelf. Our stand-up and flat mylar cookie pouches come with a zipper, which needs its own headroom above the cookies.

Pouch sizes are often given as width, height and base gusset. A pouch with a 2 inch base gusset holds about an inch less height once it stands, because the base uses part of the panel.

Window bags follow the same sizing rules as their solid versions. Just check that the window sits over the cookie once filled, not over the empty space above it.

Decorated cookies need side room more than length. Icing catches on the film as the cookie slides in, so add an extra quarter inch to the width you would use for a plain cookie.

Slide the cookie in face down, then turn the bag over. The icing touches the film less on the way in and sits facing out on the counter.

Cookie pops on sticks need length for the stick plus the closure. Measure from the top of the cookie to the end of the stick, then add the twist tie allowance.

Our clear cello bags for decorated cookies are made to these measurements, with the printed logo kept clear of the icing area.

Check the fit with a real cookie when your proof arrives. Print the dieline at full size, cut it out and lay your largest cookie on it.

Biscotti and finger cookies are measured by length first. A 6 inch slice in a 6 inch bag will not fit once the closure is added.

Add at least 1 inch to the slice length for a flat bag, plus the closure allowance. For a stand-up pouch, the slice stands upright, so the pouch height must clear it with room to reclose.

Our resealable pouches for long biscotti are cut to the slice length so pieces stand straight. A slice that leans across the pouch is a sign the pouch is too wide.

Check the pack count as well. Six slices lying flat need a wider bag than six slices standing, so decide how the pack will sit on the shelf before you measure.

Carry bags are sized to what goes inside them, usually a box. Measure the box footprint and add half an inch each way so it slides in without tearing the side seams.

Check the height of two boxes stacked if customers often buy two. A bag that fits one box but not two pushes staff into using a second bag.

Our bakery bags with handles sized to your boxes have a flat base, so boxed cookies stay level instead of tipping on the way to the car.

Handle height matters too. If the handles sit less than 3 inches above the box, the bag is awkward to carry and the box lid gets squeezed.

Most sizing problems come from measuring once and ordering one size for everything. A few small checks fix nearly all of them before anything is printed.

Two sizes cover most shops. Pick one for singles and one for stacks, and use the proof to check both against a real cookie. You can compare every style in our cookie and bakery bag collection before deciding.

The most expensive mistake is a bag one size too small. It cannot be fixed at the packing table, while a slightly large bag can still be folded or tied tighter.

When you send measurements for a quote, include a photo of the cookie next to a ruler. It answers most questions before we need to ask them.

Reorders are the moment to fix a near miss. If a bag was a little tight last time, tell us and we adjust the size on the next proof.