REFERENCE GUIDE
Measuring Drop & Strap Length
The right opening on a purse or bag can make a difference between a comfortable carrying experience and a painful one. While there are typical guidelines you can follow, personal comfort also depends on other factors like your height, bag weight, or bag style.
This guide aims to help you get your personal preference for drop & strap length measurements using a basis of a few typical measurements and a set of measurement considerations.
Handle Measurements
Drop Length
The handle drop length is the distance from the top of the handle or strap to the top edge of the bag (or handle when it is a fixed opening).
This measurement helps determine if the handle is suitable for carrying over your wrist, lower arm, shoulder, or cross body.
Strap Length
The strap length is the total distance of the strap from end to end.
This measurement is more important to have when creating handles out of material, webbing, or leather.
Typical Bag Measurements
You can reference these typical measurements as a starting point, adjusting them to get your personal fit.
Handheld
Drop Length
up to 17 cm
up to 6.5 inches
Strap Length
up to 46 cm
up to 18 inches
Short Shoulder
Drop Length
18 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Strap Length
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Shoulder Strap
Drop Length
28 - 36 cm
11 - 14 inches
Strap Length
70 - 90 cm
28 - 35 inches
Cross-body
Drop Length
58 - 61 cm
23 - 24 inches
Strap Length
100 - 140 cm
39 - 55 inches
Considerations When Measuring For Handles / Straps
Depending on your answers to the following questions you may need to add or subtract from your measurements.
Body Height & Type
Your height, tall or short, may require you to add or subtract length in your straps
Shoulder width & torso length should also be considered in ideal strap length
Bag Weight
The weight of the bag may dictate a shorter strap to reduce strain on your back
Seasonal Apparel
Does the bag need to go over a coat? If so, you may need to add to your total measurements.
Handle Attachment
Where is the strap placement on the bag?
Will you use hardware, like rectangular rings or swivel hooks, to attach the handles or straps?
Getting Started
Tools
Cloth tape measure (sewing tape) or string
Flat surface to measure an existing handbag
How to Determine Your Ideal Measurements:
Wear the seasonal apparel you’ll use with the bag (ex: t-shirt or overcoat)
Confirm starting drop length of the bag
Where do you think you want the bag to hang?
Option 1: Measure a bag you already own, laying it down on a flat surface and stretching the strap up
Option 2: Use string to measure on you, draping it on your wrist, forearm, or shoulder
Measure the desired position to carry the bag
Where does it feel most comfortable to you for the bag to sit?
Wrist or Lower Arm - place a cloth measuring tape over your arm
Shoulder bag - place a cloth measuring tape equal distance (front to back) across your shoulder allowing your tape to hang towards your waist
Cross-body - place the cloth measuring tape around your torso diagonally, from your shoulder to your waist. Try to keep the tape in the middle of your shoulder.
Identify the optimal drop length
What’s the drop length measurement based on you?
From step 2, where the measuring tape ends at the desired drop length, you now know the suitable drop length for your bag.
From the end of the measuring tape to the mid-point of your shoulder or lower arm is the drop length measurement
If using straps, identify the total length of the strap by measuring the cloth tape or string end-to-end