How to Measure a Handbag: Width, Height, Depth, and Drop

Here's how to measure a handbag: set it unpackaged on a flat surface, then measure its body width, height, and depth. Use inches first, and label any centimeter measurements clearly. Exterior dimensions describe the bag's outline, but they don't guarantee that a particular item will fit inside.

Start with the bag's body, not its handles

Measure the main compartment's exterior separately from its handles and straps. A ruler works well for structured bags; a flexible measuring tape is useful for softer shapes.

These simple views show where the body measurements sit:

FRONT                  SIDE                BASE
    width                  depth               width
<----------->          <--------->         <----------->
+-----------+          +---------+         +-----------+
|           | ^        |         |         |           | ^
|           | | height |         |         +-----------+ | depth
+-----------+ v        +---------+                       v

Listings may use “length” for the horizontal measurement, or present dimensions in a different order. Follow the labels rather than assuming the first figure means width.

How to measure a handbag's width, height, and depth

Set the bag upright in its natural shape, with its base resting on the surface. Move loose straps aside without pulling on the body.

• Width: Measure horizontally across the widest part of the front, from outside edge to outside edge.
• Height: Measure vertically from the base to the highest point of the body, excluding handles and straps.
• Depth: Measure from front to back at the deepest part, often along the base. Check whether a rounded body projects farther outward.

Keep the tape straight between the endpoints. Don't wrap it around the bag or pull it tight enough to compress the material. Record the unit beside every measurement.

Where each measurement begins and ends

Body dimensions describe the exterior shell. Exclude dangling charms, projecting hardware, and decorative details unless the listing explicitly includes them. For an irregular shape, note where you measured.

Measure the handle drop, strap drop, and opening separately

Drop is the vertical distance from the top of the bag's body to the highest inside point of its handle or strap. Hold the handle or strap up naturally, without stretching it, and measure straight down to the body.

Don't run the tape along the strap's curve. That measures strap length, which is different from drop. For an adjustable strap, record the setting used, or measure its shortest and longest drops.

Drop helps you compare shoulder clearance and carrying position. Your build, clothing, and the strap's attachment points also affect where the bag sits.

Measure the opening with the closure fully released. Check the clear space between the zipper stops or opening edges, plus how far the opening spreads front to back. A wide body can still have a narrow entrance.

Measure soft and curved bags without changing their shape

Measure a soft bag empty and resting naturally. Don't stretch its corners, flatten its folds, or press it into a rectangle to produce cleaner-looking measurements.

If it won't stand upright, support it lightly without filling out the body. Note that support was needed.

For crescent, tapered, or rounded bags, record the widest body dimensions and where they occur. The base width and opening width may differ substantially.

An empty measurement is a baseline, not a promise of capacity. If the bag expands when packed, record the filled measurement separately and describe what was inside.

Check usable space against your largest everyday item

Measure the item you most need to carry, including its case or cover. Compare its width, height, and thickness with the opening and interior, not just the exterior dimensions.

Lining, seams, pockets, and dividers take up space. Curved corners can also prevent a rectangular item from sitting flat.

With the bag open, measure the clear space inside the main compartment without stretching the lining. Check the narrowest point along the item's route into the bag.

If you have both objects, test them together gently:

• Can the item pass through the opening without force?
• Can it sit in your intended position?
• Can the closure shut without pressure on the item?
• Is there room for your other essentials?

Compare a listing with a handbag you already like

Measure a familiar bag that carries comfortably, then keep its body dimensions, opening, and drop together in a note. This gives you a more useful reference than a product photograph alone.

Compare shape as well as size. A tapered bag may offer less room near its opening than a rectangular bag with similar exterior dimensions. Check where the straps attach, too.

At LIETA Milano, we list dimensions alongside material and construction information. Use The Lungo's product details as an example of reading those details together, rather than treating size as the whole story.

Start with your own bag's measurements, then compare the body, drop, and opening with a listing. You can discover our collection and join the waitlist for upcoming drops; ordering is currently by waitlist only.

Frequently asked questions

Do handbag dimensions include the handles?

Usually, width, height, and depth describe the bag's body, not its handles or straps. Look for a separate handle-drop or strap-drop measurement. If a listing gives an overall height that includes handles, compare it only with an equivalent measurement on your own bag.

What does handle drop or strap drop mean on a purse?

Drop is the vertical distance from the top of the bag's body to the highest inside point of its raised handle or strap. Measure straight down, not along the strap's curve. It helps you compare carrying positions, but your build and clothing also affect the fit.

Should you measure a soft handbag empty or filled?

Measure it empty and resting naturally for a consistent exterior baseline. Avoid stretching the material or flattening folds. If you also measure it filled, record that separately and note the contents. Packing can change the shape, so the measurements describe different conditions.

Why do handbag brands list measurements in different orders?

Brands may use different dimension labels and listing formats, so don't assume an order from the figures alone. Match width, height, and depth by their labels. If the listing uses an unclear term such as “length,” ask the brand which direction it measures before comparing.