The gallon number on a box is only a rough guide. A can liner fits by its flat width and length, so the quickest way to the right bag is to measure the can. The chart below lists the sizes US janitorial, food service and retail buyers order most often, with the thickness that usually works for each. Hanpak makes every size on this page, and any size in between.
Can liner size chart
| Can capacity | Typical can | Flat size (W × L, inches) | HDPE | LLDPE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 gal | Desk-side, restroom | 17 × 17, 17 × 18 | 6–8 micron | 0.5–0.7 mil |
| 7–10 gal | Office wastebasket | 24 × 24 | 6–8 micron | 0.5–0.7 mil |
| 12–16 gal | Small kitchen, office | 24 × 33 | 8–10 micron | 0.6–0.8 mil |
| 13 gal | Tall kitchen (drawstring) | 24 × 27 to 24 × 30 | – | 0.7–0.9 mil |
| 20–30 gal | Medium round or square | 30 × 36, 30 × 37 | 10–13 micron | 0.8–1.2 mil |
| 32–33 gal | 32-gal round | 33 × 39, 33 × 40 | 13–16 micron | 1.0–1.5 mil |
| 40–45 gal | 44-gal round | 40 × 46, 40 × 48 | 13–16 micron | 1.2–1.5 mil |
| 42 gal | Contractor bag | 33 × 48 | – | 2.5–3.0 mil |
| 55–60 gal | 55-gal drum, 60-gal can | 36 × 58, 38 × 58, 38 × 60 | 16–22 micron | 1.5–2.0 mil |
| 64–65 gal | 65-gal toter | 50 × 48 | 16–22 micron | 1.5–2.0 mil |
| 95–96 gal | 96-gal toter | 61 × 68 | 22 micron | 2.0–3.0 mil |
Brands differ by an inch or two for the same gallon size. If the bag you buy now fits well, send us its flat width and length and we will match it.
How to measure your can
- Width. Measure around the inside of the rim and divide by 2. For a square or rectangular can, add the four sides and divide by 2.
- Length. Take the height of the can, add half the bottom diameter, then add 3–4 inches so the bag folds over the rim. For a square can, use the diagonal of the bottom instead of the diameter.
- Tie-off. If your staff tie the bag closed before lifting it out, add the full bottom diameter instead of half.
Liner size calculator
Enter your can size in inches and we will work out the flat liner size.
Your liner: –
HDPE or LLDPE, and how thick?
HDPE (high density) is thin, stiff and strong for its weight. It is the low-cost choice for paper, office and other dry waste. It is sold in microns. Once punctured it tears quickly, so keep it away from sharp or very heavy loads.
LLDPE (linear low density) stretches before it breaks, which makes it the better bag for wet food waste, glass, sharp edges and heavy loads. It is sold in mil.
The two scales do not compare directly. A 16 micron HDPE liner looks much thinner than a 1.5 mil LLDPE liner on paper, yet both carry a full office can. Choose by what goes in the bag, then by thickness.
| What goes in the bag | Resin | Typical thickness |
|---|---|---|
| Office paper, restroom towels | HDPE | 6–8 micron |
| Mixed office waste, light kitchen waste | HDPE | 10–13 micron |
| Cafeteria and food waste | HDPE or LLDPE | 13–16 micron, or 0.9–1.2 mil |
| Restaurants, wet or heavy loads | LLDPE | 1.2–1.5 mil |
| Glass, yard waste, outdoor bins | LLDPE | 1.5–2.0 mil |
| Construction debris (contractor bags) | LLDPE | 2.5–3.0 mil |
Going thinner than the job needs is the most common reason a bag splits. Tell us the can size and what goes in it, and we will suggest the lightest bag that still holds.
Mil to micron conversion
1 mil = 25.4 micron (one thousandth of an inch).
| Mil | Micron | Micron | Mil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 13 | 6 | 0.24 |
| 0.7 | 18 | 8 | 0.31 |
| 0.9 | 23 | 10 | 0.39 |
| 1.0 | 25 | 13 | 0.51 |
| 1.2 | 30 | 16 | 0.63 |
| 1.5 | 38 | 22 | 0.87 |
| 2.0 | 51 | 30 | 1.18 |
| 3.0 | 76 | 50 | 1.97 |
Star seal, flat or gusseted?
- Star seal. The bottom is folded and sealed in a star pattern, with no gussets. The bag opens out to fill a round or square can evenly, and there are no weak corners to leak. Sized by flat width × length. See star seal bags on roll.
- Flat (bottom seal). A straight seal across the bottom. The simplest and lowest-cost option, and fine for small cans. See C-fold and E-fold bags on roll.
- Gusseted. Folded side panels add volume. The size is written width + gusset + gusset × length, so a gusseted bag looks narrower on paper than a star seal bag for the same can.
- Drawstring. A tape in the hem closes the bag and doubles as a handle, the standard for 13-gallon kitchen bags. See drawstring trash bags.
Need a size that is not on the chart?
We make can liners to any width, length, thickness and color, on rolls or packed flat, with your brand on the box. Send us the can size, or the flat size of the bag you use now, and we will quote it.