If you travel a lot for work, you probably carry a laptop or tablet with you wherever you go. Which means you’ll want to make sure you have the perfect computer carry bag for traveling.
The first step to finding the right bag to carry laptops is to know how to measure your laptop size so you don’t order the wrong size or end up with a bag that’s too tight or so loose that your laptop isn’t protected enough.
Measuring Your Laptop
1. Measure diagonally
The inch size of your laptop refers to the screen’s diagonal measurement from edge to edge. This size doesn’t include the casing that surrounds the screen itself, which can often add an additional inch to the size.
So, you need to measure your laptop diagonally from edge to edge to get your laptop’s true measurement in inches and be able to choose the right travel bag.
2. Measure the height
When measuring the height of your laptop, keep it closed for the most accurate measurement. To measure, place the measuring tape along the top and bottom of your laptop lid, parallel to the shortest sides. Once you have this measurement, add 1-2 inches so your device won’t stick out of the bag.
3. Measure the width
For the width, place the tape measure across the laptop from left to right, parallel with the longest sides. Get a bag that isn’t too much wider than your laptop, otherwise, your laptop will slide around inside and not be well protected.
4. Measure the depth
Place the end of your measuring tape on a flat surface and measure upwards vertically (from front to back) to get the depth of your laptop. You’ll want to get a bag with a depth of at least a half-inch more than that of your laptop.
Measuring Your Tablet
For tablets, you take screen size measurements by measuring diagonally from the upper left-hand corner of the screen to the lower right-hand corner. Like laptops, the measurements don't include the border around the edge of the screen.
Note: Don’t confuse “tablet size” and “tablet screen size.” While tablet size includes the device's length, width, and depth, the tablet screen size is the screen's diagonal measurement.
Choosing a Laptop Bag
Once you have your laptop size measurements, you’re ready to get a bag! When shopping for bags that fit laptops, check the device compartment size in the product description. You’ll want it to be a bit bigger than your device. It will be too tight of a fit if it's the exact measurement.
Keep in mind that different types of bags have device compartments in different orientations. For example, the compartments oflaptop backpacks are usually vertically oriented, whilebriefcases and messenger bags are usually oriented horizontally.
Traveling with a Laptop or Tablet
When traveling, be sure to pack your laptop or tablet carefully to protect it from damage. The best way to do this is to get a bag that fits snugly but isn’t too tight, which you’ll have no problem doing now that you know how to measure your laptop size.
When your laptop or tablet is nestled inside a padded bag that keeps it contained so it doesn’t move around, it has less chance of getting damaged. And, of course, handle your bag with care to further protect your device.
Once you've picked the perfectBR bag, get tips formaximizing a personal item andpacking like a pro. Then, it’s time to get traveling!
FAQs
Measure diagonally
How do I measure the size of my laptop? ›
To measure the screen size of your laptop, take a tape measure or ruler and measure the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. Ensure you're measuring the actual screen area and not the surrounding bezel or frame. The measurement you obtain in inches will give you the screen size.
What is the size of a 15 inch laptop? ›
The dimensions of the screen area (computer lid) are: (WxH) - 14.43 x 9.84 inches. The viewable screen area is 15.6 inches, measured diagonally.
What size is a 14 inch laptop? ›
How do you find out the dimensions of your laptop?
| Inch size | CM LxH |
|---|
| 13.3 inch | 32,5 cm x 22,5 cm |
| 14 inch | 33,5 cm x 24,7 cm |
| 15 en 15.4 inch | 36 cm x 27 cm |
| 15.5 inch | 37 cm x 24,9 cm |
8 more rowsMeasure diagonal
Fun fact: the inch-size of your laptop describes the screen's edge to edge diagonal measurement. This size does not include the 'bezel' (the casing that surrounds the screen itself) which can often add an additional inch onto the size. So, you need to measure your laptop diagonally from edge to edge.
How to measure a tablet size? ›
Screen size measurements for tablets are calculated by measuring diagonally from the upper left-hand corner of the screen to the lower right-hand corner. The measurements are expressed in inches and don't include the border around the edge of the screen.
Will a 16-inch laptop fit in a 15.6 inch bag? ›
The 16-inch MacBook Pro, with its larger screen and overall dimensions, may struggle to fit comfortably into a MacBook Pro bag or a leather MacBook bag designed for a 15-inch laptop. The additional size can result in a tighter fit, making it challenging to slide the laptop in and out smoothly.
How big does a backpack need to be to fit a laptop? ›
Laptop Backpack Size Chart
| Laptop Size (inches) | Recommended Backpack Dimensions (HxWxD) in inches |
|---|
| 11-13 | 17x12x8 |
| 14-15 | 18x13x9 |
| 16-17 | 19x14x10 |
| 18+ | 20x15x11 |
Portability: However, if you're a digital nomad, hopping from one café to another, the 15-inch is more travel-friendly. No one wants a cramped hand from hauling a heavy laptop.
What does 15.6 inch mean? ›
A screen of 15.6 inch means it is having the diagonal length of 15.6 inches.
Hitting the sweet spot between a 13-inch laptop's portability and a 15-inch laptop's expanded performance is the 14-inch laptop. Perhaps because of this, it's been taking over as one of the most popular laptop form factors — for good reason.
What is the most common laptop size? ›
Mid-size. Standard laptop screen sizes range from 13” to 15” and are the most common size on the market.
Will a 17 inch laptop fit in a backpack? ›
On the other hand, a 17-inch backpack is more spacious and can accommodate a laptop up to 17.3 inches. A common question that arises is - "Can a 16-inch laptop fit into a 15.6-inch laptop backpack?" While it might technically squeeze in, it's not advisable.
Should I buy a laptop bag bigger than my laptop? ›
Measure the size of your laptop and look for a bag that fits exactly or is just a little bigger. If you buy a bag that is too small, you run the risk of damaging your laptop, while a bag that is too large does not protect against bumps and shocks as well.
How do you measure a flight bag? ›
Measure the length, height, and depth of your bag, including handles and wheels. Add those three measurements together. The total is your linear measurement, in either centimeters or inches. Measure from the wheels to the top of the handle for height.
How to properly put a laptop in a bag? ›
Do not close any objects like pencils, notebooks or earbuds between the keyboard and screen. Not only could you damage these items, but you could also damage the screen or keyboard. Place it in a protective case: Next, secure your laptop in its protective case. Make sure you insert it correctly and close it securely.
What are the dimensions of a 15.6 inch laptop screen? ›
15.6 is the size of the screen from one corner to the other. but on average, a 15.6 laptop is about 15 inches from the left to the right, and about 12 from the back to the front. imagine it sitting in front of you on a desk in the closed position.
How wide is a 13-inch laptop? ›
The MacBook Pro 13” (4th Generation) has a 13.3” diagonal Retina display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 and is available in Space Gray and Silver. The Apple MacBook Pro 13" (4th Generation) has a depth of . 59” (1.49 cm), width of 11.97” (30.41 cm), height of 8.36” (21.24 cm), and weighs 3.02 lb (1.37 kg).
What is the size of a laptop? ›
Most brands will make laptops to certain sizes specifications. We've found that the average laptop screen size sits at around 14”. Mini laptops can measure anywhere between 11” to 13.3”. In contrast, large laptops range from 14” to 17“ and beyond.
Can a 14 inch laptop fit in a 13-inch case? ›
It is impossible to fit a 14-inch laptop into a 13-inch laptop case as the case is designed for a specific size, and forcing a larger laptop into a more minor case would cause damage. One should look for a case specifically designed for a 14-inch laptop or more significant.
