Updated: April 2026 · Laptop inch measurements refer to screen diagonal. For the case, the chassis dimensions matter – see measurement guide below.
When buying a laptop bag, you encounter confusing inch measurements: 13.3", 14", 15.6". What do these actually mean? And will my 15.6-inch laptop fit in a 15-inch bag? This guide answers these questions – including conversion table, measurement instructions and bag type recommendations.
The 5 Most Common Laptop Inch Sizes
Ultra-light netbooks, old MacBook Air
MacBook Air/Pro 13, Surface Pro
ThinkPad, business laptops
MacBook Pro 15, gaming laptops
Desktop replacement, gaming
Important: The inch measurement refers to the screen diagonal, not the chassis. A 15.6-inch laptop has a chassis of approximately 36 × 24 cm – laptop bags are usually sized according to chassis dimensions.
Inch Conversion: Laptop Size in cm
| Inches | Diagonal (cm) | Typical Chassis Dimensions | Typical Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.1" | 25.7 cm | 26 × 18 cm | Tablet PCs, Chromebooks |
| 11.6" | 29.5 cm | 29 × 20 cm | Ultrabooks, MacBook Air (old) |
| 12.3" | 31.2 cm | 29 × 20 cm | Surface Pro, convertibles |
| 13.3" | 33.8 cm | 31 × 22 cm | MacBook Air 13, ThinkPad X1 |
| 14.0" | 35.6 cm | 32 × 22 cm | MacBook Pro 14, ThinkPad T14 |
| 15.6" | 39.6 cm | 36 × 24 cm | Standard business / gaming |
| 16.0" | 40.6 cm | 35 × 24 cm | MacBook Pro 16 |
| 17.3" | 43.9 cm | 40 × 28 cm | Large workstations |
How to Measure Your Laptop Correctly
Rather than relying on the inch specification, you should measure your laptop yourself before buying a bag:
- Width: from left to right edge of the closed laptop
- Depth: from front to back edge
- Height: thickness of the folded laptop
- Display diagonal: from corner to corner (without bezel)
With these measurements, you can choose the right bag. Tip: allow 1–2 cm clearance – so the charger and any accessories will also fit.
The 3 Bag Types Overview
Laptop Sleeve
Thin protective cover sized for laptop. No carrying system – transported in a larger bag/rucksack.
- Lightest option
- Slim, takes up little space
- Ideal for existing bag
Laptop Bag
Classic shoulder bag with laptop compartment and additional pockets for documents, cables, papers.
- Business-appropriate
- Plenty of organisation
- Flexible shoulder strap
