Cosmetic Bag Sizes: Makeup Pouches, Toiletry Bags and Travel Cases
For anyone choosing a makeup pouch for a handbag, a toiletry bag for travel, or a case for a full kit. Sizes are given in inches, centimeters and millimeters, with the items each size is built to hold.
A small makeup pouch is about 7–8 × 4–5 × 2–3 in (180–200 × 100–130 × 50–80 mm), a medium cosmetic bag 9–10 × 6–7 × 3–4 in (230–250 × 150–180 × 80–100 mm), and a large toiletry bag 10–12 × 7–8 × 4–6 in (250–300 × 180–200 × 100–150 mm). For airport security liquids, the US uses a quart-size bag (about 7 × 8 in) and the UK and EU a bag of about 1 liter, roughly 20 × 20 cm.
- Small pouch
- 7–8 × 4–5 in
- Medium bag
- 9–10 × 6–7 in
- Large toiletry
- 10–12 × 7–8 in
- Liquids (UK/EU)
- ≈ 20 × 20 cm, 1 L
On this page
Cosmetic bag size chart
Cosmetic bags have no standard sizes, but they fall into clear classes by what they are meant to carry. The volume column uses a mid-range example from each class; because pouches are rounded and soft, real capacity is a little lower.
| Type | Inches | Millimeters | Example and box volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini pouch | 5–7 × 3–4 × 1–2 | 130–180 × 75–100 × 25–50 | 6 × 3.5 × 1.5 in: 0.5 L |
| Small makeup pouch | 7–8 × 4–5 × 2–3 | 180–200 × 100–130 × 50–80 | 7.5 × 4.5 × 2.5 in: 1.4 L |
| Medium cosmetic bag | 9–10 × 6–7 × 3–4 | 230–250 × 150–180 × 80–100 | 9.5 × 6.5 × 3.5 in: 3.5 L |
| Large toiletry bag | 10–12 × 7–8 × 4–6 | 250–300 × 180–200 × 100–150 | 11 × 7.5 × 5 in: 6.8 L |
| Train case (rigid) | 9–12 × 6–8 × 7–9 | 230–300 × 150–200 × 180–230 | 10.5 × 7 × 8 in: 9.6 L |
| Hanging toiletry bag | 9–11 × 7–9 × 3–4 closed; 20–30 long open | 230–280 × 180–230 × 75–100 closed | 10 × 8 × 3.5 in closed: 4.6 L |
To compare any two bags, multiply width × height × depth. In centimeters, divide by 1,000 for liters. A bag twice the volume is a different class, even if it looks only slightly larger in photos.
What each size holds
- Mini pouch (about 0.5 L): lipstick, lip balm, a compact mirror, a few hair ties, and travel-size hand cream. Made for a clutch or small crossbody.
- Small pouch (about 1.5 L): a daily touch-up kit: concealer, powder compact, mascara, two lip products, a mini brush. Fits inside a medium purse.
- Medium bag (about 3 to 4 L): a full daily routine: foundation bottle, powder, a small eyeshadow palette, three to five brushes, and lip products. The default for a weekend.
- Large toiletry bag (about 6 to 8 L): makeup plus skincare, toothbrush, razor and travel bottles for a week away.
- Train case (about 8 to 12 L): a full kit with large palettes and brushes standing upright; the size makeup artists carry for a client day.
Before buying, lay out your longest item and your largest flat item. Brushes and palettes, not bottles, usually decide the size.
Fitting brushes and palettes
| Item | Typical size | Interior needed |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size face brush | 6–7.5 in (15–19 cm) long | At least 7.5–8 in long |
| Travel or eye brush | 4–6 in (10–15 cm) long | At least 6.5 in long |
| Single eyeshadow quad or compact | about 2.5–4 in across | Any small pouch |
| Medium eyeshadow palette | about 5–7 × 3.5–5 in, under 1 in thick | A medium bag lying flat |
| Large palette | about 7–10 × 5–7 in | A large toiletry bag or train case |
| Foundation bottle (30 mL) | about 4–5 in tall | Small pouch if laid down; medium standing |
Palette sizes vary widely by brand, so measure the ones you own. A bag that holds the palette flat but leaves no room above it will crack pans when the bag is squeezed; leave about 0.5 in of slack.
Travel: liquids bags and carry-on rules
For cabin baggage, the security rules decide the size of the bag your liquids go in, separately from your makeup bag.
| Where | Container limit | Bag |
|---|---|---|
| United States (TSA) | 3.4 oz (100 mL) each | One quart-size bag per passenger, about 7 × 8 in (18 × 20 cm) |
| UK | 100 mL each at most airports | One transparent, resealable bag of about 1 L, roughly 20 × 20 cm |
| European Union | 100 mL each at most airports | One transparent, resealable bag of up to 1 L |
Some UK and EU airports have installed CT scanners that allow larger containers or leaving liquids in the bag, but the rules have changed more than once and are not uniform. Check the departure airport's website before you pack, and follow the strictest airport on a multi-leg trip.
Keep liquids, gels and creams in a clear liquids bag that you can lift out at security, and keep powders, palettes, brushes and pencils in your regular cosmetic bag. Solid products (powder, stick foundations, solid shampoo) are not counted as liquids by TSA.
A large toiletry bag of 11 × 7.5 × 5 in takes about 7 L of a carry-on's space, which is around a sixth of a typical 40 L cabin bag. For planning the rest of the case, see the carry-on bag sizes, the airline-by-airline carry-on rules and the packing cube size guide.
Choosing a shape
Good for
- Flat zip pouch: slides into a handbag, holds pencils and flat compacts.
- Boxy bag with gusset: stands open on a counter, holds bottles upright.
- Hanging toiletry bag: small bathrooms and shared counters; unfolds to 20 to 30 in long.
- Brush roll: protects bristles and lays brushes flat in luggage.
Watch out for
- Exterior-only measurements: padded or structured bags lose up to 0.5 in per side inside.
- Zip openings narrower than the bag: a palette may fit inside but not go through the zip.
- Hanging bags with short hooks: the hook should reach over a towel rail or door top, usually 2 to 3 in of hook.
- Oversized pouches in small purses: keep at least 2 in of clearance; see the purse size guide.
For bags that hold the pouch day to day, the handbag size chart lists interior sizes by style, and the luggage size guide covers checked bags if your kit goes in the hold.
Frequently asked questions
What is a standard makeup bag size?
The most common everyday makeup bag is medium: about 9 × 6 × 3.5 in (23 × 15 × 9 cm), roughly 3 liters by box volume. It holds foundation, powder, a small palette, a few brushes up to about 7 in long, and lip products.
What size is a cosmetic pouch in mm?
Small flat pouches are commonly about 180 × 110 mm, standard pouches 200 × 130 mm, and medium boxy bags 230 × 150 × 90 mm. Large toiletry bags are around 280 × 190 × 130 mm.
Can I use my makeup bag for airport liquids?
Only if it is clear, resealable and within the size limit. US TSA requires liquids in containers of 3.4 oz (100 mL) or less in one quart-size bag per passenger. The UK and EU use 100 mL containers in a transparent bag of about 1 liter (around 20 × 20 cm), though some airports with newer scanners have relaxed this, so check your departure airport.
What size cosmetic bag fits makeup brushes?
Most full-size face brushes are about 6 to 7.5 in (15 to 19 cm) long, so the bag's interior needs to be at least 7.5 to 8 in. Lying flat, that means a bag of about 8 in wide or more; a brush roll or an upright brush cup is an alternative.
What size makeup bag fits in a handbag?
A small pouch of 7 × 4 × 2 in fits any medium purse; medium bags of 9 × 6 × 3.5 in need a large purse or tote. As a rule, keep the pouch at least 2 in narrower than the bag's interior so you can still reach around it.