Bath towel size: a guide to the right measurements

Towels come in many sizes, and it can be hard to work out which size actually suits what. Is it for your hands at the sink, for after a bath, or for a day at the beach? In this guide you'll get an overview of the most common sizes, what they're used for, and what to consider when choosing.

We'll also look at how space in the cupboard, fabric weight and drying time come into play, so you end up with towels that suit both your bathroom and everyday life.

The short answer on bath towel size

When choosing a size, you can start with three types. A towel measuring 50 x 80 cm is small and handy for hands, face or as a guest towel. A bath towel measuring 70 x 140 cm is the classic size you dry yourself with after a bath or shower. A bath sheet measuring 100 x 150 cm is noticeably bigger and gives you room to wrap your whole body, making it perfect for the beach, pool or for anyone who simply likes an extra-large towel at home.

The choice basically comes down to where the towel will be used, and how much space you have for storing and drying it.

Sizes collected in a table

Here are the three most common sizes set out so you can quickly compare measurements and use.

Towel 50 x 80 cm: for hands, face and guests

A towel measuring 50 x 80 cm is what you'll typically find by the sink. It's big enough to dry your hands and face, but small enough to hang discreetly on a hook or lie folded on a shelf. The compact size also makes it perfect as a guest towel, where it both looks nice and comes in handy when you have visitors.

Because it takes up so little space, it's easy to have several in different colours, so you always have a clean, fresh towel within reach. For inspiration, take a look at Hand towels 50×80 cm.

Bath towel 70 x 140 cm: for after a bath

70 x 140 cm is the size most people think of when they say bath towel. It's big enough to dry your whole body with, but still takes up a sensible amount of space in the cupboard, on the towel rail or in the washing machine. That makes this size a good starting point if you need a set of towels for everyday use in the bathroom.

The shop's Bongusta towels in this size come in colourful designs, so you get both a practical and a visual upgrade for your bathroom. See the range under Bath towels 70×140 cm.

Bath sheet 100 x 150 cm: for the beach, pool and an extra-large bath

A bath sheet measuring 100 x 150 cm is the largest of the three sizes and gives you extra room to move about in. It's ideal if you want to wrap yourself up completely after a bath, or if you need a towel to take to the beach or pool, where you'll want enough room to lie on it and dry off afterwards.

If you're after the luxurious feel of a really big towel at home, a bath sheet can also simply be a great choice for the bathroom. Find the large sizes under Large bath towels.

How to choose: space, weight and how many you need

When choosing a size, there are a few practical things worth considering:

• Space in the cupboard: large towels like bath sheets take up more room, both in the cupboard and in the laundry basket.
• Weight and drying time: the bigger and thicker the towel, the longer it takes to dry. The Naram towels are made from organic cotton at 600 g/m², which gives a sturdy, soft towel, but it's also a factor if you wash often and have limited drying capacity.
• How often you wash: if you use towels daily, it can be handy to have several of the smaller size, so you always have a dry and clean one ready.

As a rule of thumb, it can be nice to have a combination: a couple of towels measuring 50 x 80 cm for hands and guests, bath towels measuring 70 x 140 cm for everyday use, and perhaps one or two bath sheets measuring 100 x 150 cm for guests, the beach or those days when you just want a bit of extra space around you.

Summary

Bath towels typically come in three sizes: a towel measuring 50 x 80 cm for hands and guests, a bath towel measuring 70 x 140 cm for everyday use after a bath, and a bath sheet measuring 100 x 150 cm for the beach, pool or extra space. When choosing, it's worth thinking about the space in your cupboard, how heavy and slow the towel is to dry, and how often you wash. A combination of the three sizes covers most needs in the home.

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