The right mylar bag size depends on two numbers: how much your product weighs and how much space that weight takes up. A stand-up pouch that holds 1 lb of whole bean coffee holds roughly 2 lb of rice and only about 10 oz of loose leaf tea. Use the charts below as starting points, adjust them for your product, then confirm with a fill test before you order. Every size here can be made to your exact measurements in our custom mylar bags range.
Stand-up mylar bag size chart by fill weight
These are common starting sizes for stand-up pouches, measured as width x height x bottom gusset in inches. The capacity column is for whole bean coffee, the product most size charts are built around. Treat each figure as approximate: bean size, roast and how firmly the bag is filled all move it.
| Bag size (W x H x gusset, inches) | Approx. capacity, whole bean coffee | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 x 5.5 x 2 | 1 oz (28 g) | Samples, single servings, trial packs |
| 4 x 6 x 2.5 | 2 oz (57 g) | Sample coffee, tea refills, spice blends |
| 5 x 8 x 3 | 4 oz (113 g) | Specialty coffee, snacks, supplements |
| 6 x 9 x 3.5 | 8 oz (227 g) | Half pound coffee, granola, jerky |
| 6.75 x 11.5 x 3.5 | 12 oz (340 g) | Retail coffee, trail mix, pet treats |
| 7 x 11.5 x 4 | 16 oz, 1 lb (454 g) | One pound coffee, nuts, protein powder |
| 9 x 13.5 x 4.75 | 2 lb (907 g) | Bulk coffee, rice, baking mixes |
| 12 x 16 x 5.5 | 5 lb (2.27 kg) | Wholesale and food service packs |
Stand-up bags are the usual choice for retail shelves because the gusset lets the bag stand and show its full front panel. See the formats we print as stand up mylar bags, and compare the two main styles in our guide to mylar bags vs stand-up pouches.
Adjust the chart for your product
A bag holds a volume, not a weight. Light, airy products fill the bag long before they reach the coffee weight in the chart, and dense products weigh much more in the same space. Multiply the coffee capacity by the factor below to estimate what the same bag holds of your product.
| Product type | Typical bulk density (g per mL) | Capacity vs. whole bean coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Puffed snacks, popcorn, dried leafy herbs | 0.05 to 0.15 | About 0.25x |
| Loose leaf tea | 0.2 to 0.3 | About 0.6x |
| Granola, cereal clusters | 0.3 to 0.4 | About 0.9x |
| Whole bean coffee | 0.35 to 0.45 | 1x (the chart above) |
| Ground coffee, protein powder | 0.4 to 0.5 | About 1.1x to 1.2x |
| Nuts, trail mix | 0.5 to 0.6 | About 1.3x |
| Rice, sugar, dry beans | 0.8 to 0.9 | About 2x |
| Salt, dense powders | 1.1 to 1.3 | About 3x |
Densities vary with grind, moisture and particle size, so these factors get you into the right size range rather than the exact bag. The quickest way to find your own density is to level-fill a measuring cup with your product, weigh it, and divide the grams by the milliliters.
Flat mylar bag sizes
Flat bags have no gusset. They lie flat or hang on a peg, so they suit samples, single servings and products sold on a rack. These are the five standard flat sizes we run, with capacities for dry goods of medium density.
| Size (inches) | Approx. capacity | Typical uses |
|---|---|---|
| 3 x 5 | About 3.5 g | Samples, seeds |
| 5 x 8 | About 100 g | Snacks, herbs |
| 6 x 9 | About 250 g | Spices, powders |
| 8 x 12 | About 500 g | Coffee, nuts, tea |
| 10 x 14 | About 1 kg | Bulk, pet food |
For thin items such as seed packets and inserts, a flat pouch is often the better format: see flat pouches. For portions below an ounce, start with small mylar bags, and for bulk fills above 2 lb, large mylar bags.
How to work out the size yourself
- Find the fill volume. Divide your fill weight in grams by your product’s density. For example, 340 g of loose leaf tea at 0.25 g per mL needs about 1,360 mL.
- Add headroom. Add 15 to 20 percent so the bag closes cleanly and the zipper is not under strain. In the example, that is about 1,600 mL.
- Pick the bag. A 1 lb coffee bag holds about 1,130 mL, which is too small. A 2 lb coffee bag holds about 2,270 mL, which is more than needed. The tea fits best in a custom size between the two, or in the 2 lb size if you want room for a larger fill later.
Then run a fill test with a sample bag of the size you picked, using your real product and your real filling method, before you commit to a full run.
Leave room for the zipper, seal and tear notch
The printed height of a bag is not all usable space. A press-to-close zipper, the heat seal above it and the tear notch together take up about 1 to 1.5 inches at the top of the bag, and the product has to sit below the zipper line. If your bag will be resealed often, as with a mylar ziplock bag, allow the full 1.5 inches.
Ounces to grams
| Ounces | Grams |
|---|---|
| 1 oz | 28 g |
| 2 oz | 57 g |
| 4 oz | 113 g |
| 8 oz | 227 g |
| 12 oz | 340 g |
| 16 oz (1 lb) | 454 g |
| 2 lb | 907 g |
| 5 lb | 2,268 g |
Common sizing mistakes
- Sizing by weight alone. A 1 lb label means nothing until you know the product’s density.
- Forgetting the zipper line. Product above the zipper stops the bag from closing.
- Copying a competitor’s bag. Their fill method, product and headroom may differ from yours.
- Skipping the fill test. A single sample bag filled on your line costs far less than a run in the wrong size.
- Ignoring the shelf. Check the bag fits your display, shipper box or peg hook as well as your product.
Ordering a custom size
If no size here fits, send us your product, fill weight and any target bag dimensions. We prepare the dieline for your size and send a free design and digital proof before anything is printed. There is no minimum order, so you can order a single bag to run your fill test first, free samples are available on request, and shipping is free with tracking. To see what moves the price before you ask, try our packaging cost estimator, or request a quote with your sizes. For materials and finishes, see our guide to mylar bag sizes, materials and ordering, and for coffee specifically, the coffee packaging guide.
Questions buyers ask
What size mylar bag holds 1 lb of coffee?
As a starting point, a stand-up bag of about 7 x 11.5 inches with a 4 inch bottom gusset holds 1 lb of whole bean coffee. Ground coffee packs a little tighter and can fit a slightly smaller bag. Confirm with a fill test using your own coffee.
How much does a 6 x 9 mylar bag hold?
As a flat bag, about 250 g of medium density dry goods such as spices or powders. As a stand-up bag with a 3.5 inch gusset, it holds about 8 oz (227 g) of whole bean coffee.
Does the gusset change how much a bag holds?
Yes. A bottom gusset opens into a base, which adds volume and lets the bag stand. Two bags with the same width and height can hold very different amounts if one has a deeper gusset.
How much headroom should I leave at the top?
Allow about 1 to 1.5 inches above the fill line for the zipper, heat seal and tear notch, and keep the product below the zipper so the bag closes cleanly.
Can you make a size that is not on the chart?
Yes. Send your product dimensions and fill weight, and we prepare a dieline for your exact size, with a free digital proof before anything is printed. There is no minimum order, so you can order a single bag to run a fill test.
