Towel sizes and what they are used for

Short answer: A standard towel is about 50x100 centimetres, while a bath sheet is typically 70x140 or larger. The size decides what the towel can actually be used for and how quickly it dries again.

The guest towel

The smallest towels hang by the washbasin and are changed often, because many hands touch them during the day. They dry quickly precisely because they are small, and they take up almost no room in the cupboard. If you have guests, it is nice to keep a few extra ready.

The standard towel

The size around 50x100 is the most used for hair and hands. It takes little room in the cupboard and dries in a day, even on a hook. Many also use it for the face after a shower. It is big enough to wrap around your hair but small enough to hang neatly.

The bath sheet

A bath sheet covers the whole body and is used after bathing and at the beach. It takes longer to dry, so it should hang freely rather than folded on a hook. A bath sheet left folded easily stays damp and starts to smell. Give it room on a rail or a rack.

Which size for what

For hands, the small or medium towel works best, because it is changed often. For hair, the medium one is enough for most people, while long or thick hair may need more. After a shower, many prefer a bath sheet that wraps around the body. Choose based on how you use them.

Material matters more than weight

A heavy towel does not necessarily absorb better. What matters is how the fibres and loops take up the water. Bamboo viscose can absorb a lot of moisture and feels soft against the skin. How bamboo performs in practice is covered in are bamboo towels absorbent.

See the range

The towels are collected in bamboo towels, where you can see the different sizes side by side. Many choose a set with one or two sizes, so there is something for hands, hair and body. That way the colours also match in the bathroom.

Washing

Wash without fabric softener, which closes the terry loops and makes the towel less absorbent. Use 40 or 60 degrees according to the care label, and shake the towel before hanging it so the loops stand up. More on temperature and drying in how to wash bamboo towels.

Drying day to day

A towel that dries quickly stays fresh longer between washes. Hang it out at full width and avoid folding it while it is wet. If the bathroom is poorly ventilated, hang the large towels elsewhere. Small towels can stay on the hook by the sink without any problem.

Space in the cupboard

Bath sheets take up the most space and dry the slowest, so most people only have a couple. For daily use, the medium towels are the ones used again and again. Also see home and homewear in bamboo, where towels sit alongside other items for the home.

How many you need

A good rule of thumb is two or three towels per person in each size you use. That way one is in use, one is in the wash and one is clean in the cupboard. Guest towels can be shared, while bath sheets are often personal, as they are used daily.

Frequently asked questions

How big is a standard towel?

About 50x100 centimetres. That size is used for hair and hands, takes little room in the cupboard and dries in a day, even when hanging on a hook.

What is a bath sheet?

A large towel, typically 70x140 centimetres or more, that covers the whole body after bathing or at the beach. It should hang freely because it dries more slowly.