Ziploc bags come in a variety of sizes, but the “sandwich” size is one of the most popular and useful. Sandwich Ziploc bags are designed to be just the right size to hold a standard sandwich. But exactly how big are they?
Typical Dimensions of a Sandwich Sized Ziploc Bag
Most sandwich Ziploc bags measure around 7.5 inches wide by 8 inches tall when laying flat. However, there can be some variation between different manufacturers and bag types. Here are some more details on standard sandwich bag sizes:
- Ziploc Brand Sandwich Bags: 7.7″ x 8″
- Glad Sandwich Bags: 7.5″ x 8″
- Generic/Store Brand Sandwich Bags: 7″-8″ x 7.5″-8.5″
So in general, you can expect most sandwich bags to be roughly 8 inches tall and 7.5 inches wide. This provides enough space to fit a standard sliced bread or deli sandwich.
Sandwich Bag Capacity
In addition to dimensions, another way to consider sandwich bag size is capacity. Here’s how much a typical sandwich bag can hold:
- 1-2 sandwiches
- 1-2 snack servings of chips, crackers, etc.
- 1 medium piece of fruit like an apple or orange
- 2-3 snack bars like granola or protein bars
Most brands indicate the sandwich Ziploc bag capacity around 1 cup or 8 ounces of volume. This provides plenty of room for a average-sized sandwich.
Comparing Other Ziploc Sizes
To understand the size of a sandwich bag better, it helps to see how it compares to other Ziploc bag sizes:
| Ziploc Bag Size | Dimensions (L x W) | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Snack Size | 5.5″ x 6″ | Chips, cookies, candy, trail mix |
| Sandwich Size | 7.5″ x 8″ | Sandwiches, fruit, sliced veggies |
| Quart Size | 8.75″ x 10.25″ | Leftovers, frozen foods |
| Gallon Size | 10.5″ x 12″ | Bulk storage, freezing |
As you can see, the sandwich bag is larger than the snack size but smaller than the quart and gallon sizes. It strikes a perfect balance for fitting reasonably sized sandwiches or lunch items.
Thickness of Sandwich Bags
In addition to size, the thickness of the plastic used for sandwich bags can vary. Here are some common thicknesses:
- Standard Ziploc sandwich bags: 1.0-1.25 mil
- Heavy duty sandwich bags: 1.5-2.0 mil
- Reusable sandwich bags: 2.0+ mil
The thickness affects the durability and reusability of the bags. Standard sandwich bags are thin for convenience but not meant for multiple uses. Heavy duty and reusable options use thicker plastic that is more leakproof and puncture resistant.
Types of Ziploc Sandwich Bags
Ziploc offers a few varieties of sandwich bags:
- Original Ziploc Sandwich Bags – The classic sandwich bag with Ziploc seal. Approximately 1.0 mil thick.
- Ziploc Double Zipper Sandwich Bags – Features an extra zipper seal for added protection. 1.25 mil thick.
- Ziploc Smart Snap Sandwich Bags – Audible clicking seal buttons ensure a secure closure. 1.25 mil thick.
- Ziploc Fold-Top Sandwich Bags – No zipper seal, just a fold-over top. Economical choice. 1.0 mil thick.
Besides the different closure mechanisms, all of the Ziploc sandwich bags are roughly the same 7.5 x 8 inch size. The double zipper and smart snap options provide extra security if you’ll be transporting messy or liquid-prone sandwiches.
Advantages of Sandwich Sized Bags
There are a few reasons why the sandwich Ziploc bag size is so ubiquitous:
- Portability – Fits nicely into lunch boxes, desks, purses, backpacks.
- Reusability – Durable enough for a few re-uses if cleaned properly.
- Affordability – Cost effective for households or restaurants.
- Convenience – Easy to access contents compared to tiny snack bags.
Sandwich bags really hit the sweet spot between portability and functionality. They are large enough to be practical but still compact and convenient to transport.
Disadvantages of Sandwich Sized Bags
The drawbacks of using sandwich bags include:
- Not as leakproof as thicker freezer bags.
- Not reusable for the long-term like silicone bags.
- Not as sustainable or eco-friendly as some bag materials.
- Can tear more easily than heavier duty bags.
Sandwich bags work well for short term uses. But for extended storage or reheating, it’s better to use more durable freezer bags. And reusable options like silicone bags are better for the environment long-term.
Popular Brands of Sandwich Bags
When shopping for sandwich bags, you’ll come across these major brands:
| Brand | Known For |
|---|---|
| Ziploc | Original zipper seal, trusted reputation |
| Glad | Strong, leakproof seals |
| Hefty | Sliders for easier opening and closing |
| Great Value (Walmart) | Affordable generic option |
| Kirkland (Costco) | Bulk/value packs |
Ziploc and Glad are probably the most recognizable brands in the sandwich bag category. Hefty is another leading choice with easy to use sliders. Store brands like Great Value offer decent quality at a lower price point for budget-conscious shoppers.
Alternatives to Plastic Sandwich Bags
If you’re looking to cut down on single-use plastics, there are reusable sandwich bag options to consider:
- Reusable Silicone Food Bags – Made from durable, washable silicone. Creates a tight seal.
- Reusable Cotton Muslin Bags – Breathable natural fabric. Requires bag clips/tags for sealing.
- Reusable Bee’s Wrap – Coated fabric can form seal around foods. Hand wash and reuse.
- Reusable Wax Paper Bags – Compostable wax paper bags with fold lock seal. Biodegradable.
The eco-friendly options perform similarly to plastic sandwich bags while being better for the environment. With proper care, they can replace dozens or hundreds of disposable bags over their lifetime.
Factors That Affect Sandwich Bag Size
There are a few reasons why sandwich bags may vary slightly in size:
- Brand – Each manufacturer has their own sizing.
- Thickness – Thicker bags take up more space.
- Closure style – Zippers, sliders, press seals take up room.
- Bag shape – Some taper toward the top or are wider.
- Manufacturing tolerance – Dimensions won’t be exact.
Higher end bags tend to be more precisely sized. Cheaper brands have more variance. But in all cases, the bags are designed to fit average sandwich dimensions with a little extra room.
How to Measure Sandwich Bag Size Accurately
To measure sandwich bags accurately yourself, follow these steps:
- Lay the empty bag flat on a tabletop.
- Smooth out any wrinkles or folds.
- Use a measuring tape or ruler to measure across the width and length.
- For improved accuracy, take multiple measurements and average them.
- Measure to the nearest 1/4 inch.
- Use a sharpie to label the dimensions right on the bag.
Measuring while the bags are empty and flattened will give you the maximum dimensions. This technique can be used on any size Ziploc bag to get standardized, precise measurements for comparison.
Typical Sandwich Dimensions
To design a bag well-suited for sandwiches, it helps to know the average sandwich size:
- Bread slice – 7-7.5 inches long x 2.5-3 inches wide
- Deli sandwich – 7-8 inches long on average
- Burger – Up to 4 inches tall; 3.5-4 inch diameter
- Sub/hoagie sandwich – 6-9 inches long
With standard sliced bread and deli sandwiches ranging from 7-8 inches long, a 7.5 x 8 inch sandwich bag leaves plenty of room. Even a reasonably sized hoagie or burger sandwich should fit.
Common Uses for Sandwich Bags
While designed for sandwiches, sandwich bags have all kinds of helpful uses:
- Packing sandwiches, wraps, subs for lunch
- Freezing small portions of soups, sauces, baked goods
- Storing veggies, fruits, cheese for snacks
- Organizing odds and ends like cables, art supplies
- Packing toiletries for travel
- Protecting food for kids’ lunches and snacks
Anywhere you need portable, secure, short-term storage for foods or personal items, sandwich bags do the trick. Just be sure not to microwave them and follow recyling guidelines when disposing.
Conclusion
Sandwich sized Ziploc bags live up to their name, with dimensions nearly perfectly sized to fit an average sandwich. Most sandwich bags measure around 7.5 x 8 inches flat, with some variance by brand and style. They hold roughly 1 cup or 8 ounces in volume. While designed for sandwich transport and storage, their versatility makes sandwich bags handy for many uses. Just be mindful of recycling them properly or switching to reusable options when possible.
