How to Measure a Laptop for a Bag

Picture this: You find a couple of trendy laptop bags online, but you want to make sure your laptop fits inside. Sure, the website selling laptop bags features a few key measurements, but what do they mean? The last thing you want to do is buy a bag that doesn’t hold your tech correctly.

The best way to ensure you get the right-sized bag is to learn how to measure a laptop for a bag. In this guide, we will break down what you need to do to measure your laptop properly before purchasing a laptop bag online. We will also detail the primary measurement tech companies use to market their laptops and how it differs from the actual laptop’s size.

Ready to find the best-fitting laptop bag for your computer? Let’s get started.

How Is a Laptop’s Size Measured by Tech Companies?

If a tech company markets your laptop’s size as 13.3”, one might assume this measurement is the size of the laptop — but this isn’t the case. This measurement refers to the size of the laptop’s screen, not the laptop’s total width including the bezel (the border between the laptop’s screen and its frame). Let’s look at a few comparisons to help paint a picture.

Here are three different laptops with the same screen size but different widths:

• A 13.3” MacBook Pro has a width of 11.97”
• A 13.3” Lenovo ThinkPad X295 has a width of 12.28”
• A 13” Dell Inspiron has a width of 12.75”

You can see that the measurements tech companies prominently feature don’t indicate the actual laptop width.

How to Measure a Laptop Screen

So, how do companies measure a laptop’s screen size? They measure diagonally from the bottom left corner of the screen to the top right corner.

Laptop screen measurements are often listed in inches, but some tech companies measure them in centimeters. Some common laptop screen sizes are:

• 29.46cm/11.6”
• 30.73cm/12.1”
• 33.78cm/13.3”
• 35.56cm/14”
• 38.1cm/15”
• 39.62cm/15.6”
• 43.18cm/17”

How to Measure Laptop Size: True Dimensions

Now that you know tech companies typically market their laptops using screen size, it’s time to learn how to measure a laptop for a bag. You need your laptop’s true dimensions to find a bag that’s the perfect fit. Let’s break down how to measure your laptop’s width, height, and depth. Be sure to keep your laptop’s lid closed while you’re measuring.

Tip: Record your laptop’s measurements in inches and centimeters for quick size chart reference.

Measure the Width

Place measuring tape horizontally across the center of your laptop and record its width.

Measure the Height

Place measuring tape vertically across the center of your laptop and record its height.

Measure the Depth

Place the end of your measuring tape flat on your desk, table, or another flat surface near your laptop’s edge. Measure upwards vertically from top to bottom and record its depth.

Buying Laptop Bags Online

With your laptop’s true dimensions recorded, you can start shopping for a bag online with confidence.

When you’re looking for a laptop bag or laptop sleeve, take into account the width, height, and depth dimensions of your laptop. You don’t want a laptop bag that’s too small, but you don’t want one that’s too big, either. A laptop that’s sliding around in an oversized bag isn’t well protected.

You need two things for a good laptop bag:

1. A snug fit: Your laptop shouldn’t move too much in a bag.
2. A padded compartment: Imagine constantly picking up and putting down a laptop bag. You need protection in the bag to absorb the shock and cushion your laptop. It’s also helpful to find a laptop bag with a padded bottom that acts as a cushionas it hits the ground.

Shop Tote&Carry’s Premium Collection of Laptop Bags

When shopping for a high-quality laptop bag online, Tote&Carry is your go-to solution.

Our selection of premium laptop bags and leather laptop bags for ladies are made from the finest materials and designed to fit your vibe seamlessly. Plus, the plushy padded compartments of our laptop bags are built to keep your computer safe on your daily commute.

Looking for a dual-purpose bag that can handle the gym and the office? Be sure to check out our backpacks for work, as several of our packs feature room for gym gear and your tech.